Chapter 7: Arrows and Blades

Jiang Nian’s words were true. The girl from Suzhou had been four or five years old when she was abducted, and she still held some memories of life before that time. Because she had been terrified by the beatings and threats of the kidnappers, she had never dared to speak of it.

Now, hearing Jiang Nian offer to send people to search for her parents so that she could be reunited with them, she was overwhelmed with surprise and joy. Seeing the sincerity in his expression, she felt no doubt that he was tricking her.

She looked up to meet his gaze, then lowered her head, her voice soft. "My father's surname is Zhen, and my mother's is Feng. I was abducted while watching the lantern festival during the Lantern Festival... We had a maid at home named Jiao Xing... I do not remember our address, only that there was a Gourd Temple beside our house."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian became even more certain that she was Xiangling.

According to the original story, three months after Xiangling was abducted, her family home suffered a fire. Her father, Zhen Shiyin, and mother, Madame Feng, moved to a farmstead to settle. Later, due to the rise of bandits and the suppression efforts of government troops, they were forced to sell the farm and seek refuge with Madame Feng’s father.

That grandfather, Feng Su, was originally from Daru Prefecture. He was a treacherous man who swindled Zhen Shiyin out of the silver from the sale of the farm, giving him only a few patches of poor land and a dilapidated house in return. Within a year or two, Zhen Shiyin was destitute and became the target of Feng Su’s scorn and mockery.

Filled with regret and suffering from poverty and illness, Zhen Shiyin eventually left without a word and became a monk.

His wife, Madame Feng, lived on Feng Su’s charity, working day and night doing needlework with two of their former maids to help cover their expenses, all while enduring Feng Su’s daily complaints.

While it would be difficult for Jiang Nian to find Zhen Shiyin now, he could certainly find Madame Feng at Feng Su’s home.

Jiang Nian asked the girl, "Do you remember your grandfather’s name? And where he lives?"

The girl thought for a moment and replied, "I do not remember his name, but it seems he lives in Daru Prefecture."

Jiang Nian gazed once more into her eyes, which were as clear as water. "Now that you are my head maid, how about I give you a name?"

The girl murmured a soft, "Yes."

Jiang Nian smiled slightly. "From now on, you shall be called 'Xiangling'."

Xiangling blinked, curious. "Why this name?"

Jiang Nian said, "The water caltrop flower also possesses a delicate fragrance. If you look closely, its scent is even more pleasant than that of many celebrated flowers. You are just like the water caltrop flower."

Xiangling was startled, not fully understanding, but knowing that Jiang Nian was praising her, she beamed with a radiant smile.

Jiang Nian could not help but think of Xue Baochai. In the original novel, it was Xue Baochai who had given her the name "Xiangling"...

Without delay, Jiang Nian summoned He Yun.

"I have named her 'Xiangling'," Jiang Nian said, gesturing toward her. "I intend to send men to find her parents. If they are found, I shall bring them to Jiangning so that she may be reunited with her family."

He Yun, usually calm and composed, was stunned upon hearing this. "..."

He Yun reminded him, "Young Master, we are scheduled to head to the capital in three days."

After dismissing Xiangling, Jiang Nian said to He Yun, "There is no need to be in such a hurry. The Emperor permitted my trip to the capital, but did not command me to arrive posthaste. The schedule was of my own making; it will not matter if we stay in Jiangning for a few more days."

He reasoned that since both Jiangning and Daru Prefecture were in Jiangsu, it would be convenient to send for Madame Feng now, rather than waiting until they reached the capital and having to dispatch someone thousands of miles back to the south.

He Yun bowed in agreement. "I shall do as you command, Young Master."

Jiang Nian decided to send He Zhong and Qiu Fu directly to Daru Prefecture to search for Feng Su’s home. They were to go and return quickly, a trip estimated to take ten days.

...

It was now the second month of the first year of the Taishun era.

Although Jiangning remained somewhat chilly, there were signs that winter was ending and spring was returning, with flowers beginning to bloom.

That afternoon, Jiang Nian was practicing archery in the back courtyard, with Xiangling, He Yun, and Meng Xiong standing by.

Jiang Nian drew his bow until it resembled a full moon. The string hummed, and the arrow flew, striking the center of the target with a sharp sound. Moments later, two more arrows followed, hitting the bullseye in succession.

Three shots, three hits!

Xiangling, watching intently, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "What excellent marksmanship, Young Master!"

He Yun also smiled in praise. "The Young Master’s archery grows more refined by the day."

Jiang Nian thought to himself, *I have the original owner of this body to thank for this!*

The original Jiang Nian had not been gifted at his studies, but he possessed a robust constitution and had practiced martial arts since childhood. Over ten years, he had developed considerable skill, particularly with the bow and arrow. Jiang Nian had inherited this talent, and combined with his own diligent practice over the past few months, his archery had improved even further.

Jiang Nian turned to Meng Xiong. "Meng Xiong, you have been practicing archery these past few days. Why don't you fire three arrows and see if you have made any progress?"

Meng Xiong gave an awkward smile. He picked up the bow He Yun had given him, drew it, and fired three arrows, but not a single one hit the target.

Meng Xiong looked ashamed. "I have disgraced you, Young Master. I am not used to the bow; I prefer the long-handled saber."

Jiang Nian said, "Do not be impatient. You lack a foundation in archery and have only been learning from Steward He for a few days. If you practice diligently and ask Steward He for more guidance, you will surely improve."

He Yun laughed. "Meng Xiong is sturdy and possesses extraordinary strength, with a tall frame and long arms. He is better suited for the long-handled saber. He has been practicing with me these past few days, and he has made rapid progress."

Jiang Nian said to Meng Xiong, "Show me your skills with the long-handled saber."

Meng Xiong complied, grabbing a long-handled saber and beginning to swing it.

The weapon belonged to He Yun; it was over two meters long and weighed more than ten pounds. In the Great Qing, swords and sabers were not strictly prohibited, but if an ordinary person were to brandish such a weapon in public, they would likely be arrested and questioned by the authorities.

Although He Yun had purchased the saber long ago, he rarely took it out of the house, using it only for practice. Now that he was a Fifth-Rank Imperial Guard, he could carry such a weapon in public without issue.

As Meng Xiong moved, his techniques were not flashy. He did not use complex maneuvers, focusing instead on simple, forceful hacking and slashing. Yet, his style was fierce and powerful. With that saber in his hand, even if ten ordinary soldiers were to attack him, he would likely kill them all in return.

Seeing Meng Xiong finish, Jiang Nian offered sincere praise. "Steward He is right. You were born to wield the long-handled saber."

Meng Xiong replied, "I love using this saber. To better protect you and serve you, Young Master, I will continue to practice my archery as well."

Jiang Nian smiled. "Actions speak louder than words. Come, join me in practicing archery."

And so, Jiang Nian and Meng Xiong began their archery practice, with He Yun joining them as well.

...

An hour later, Jiang Nian finished his martial training. Drenched in sweat and thirsty, he accepted a cup of fragrant tea from a smiling Xiangling and drank it down.

Xiangling then handed a cup to He Yun.

As Jiang Nian drank, he said to He Yun, "I remember when my mother was alive, she loved to take me boating on the Qinhuai River. Now that it is spring, and while we wait for He Zhong and Qiu Fu to return with news of Xiangling’s parents, I intend to go boating on the Qinhuai tomorrow morning."

He Yun was delighted to hear this. He felt that ever since last autumn, Jiang Nian had been exceptionally diligent in his studies and training, and he hoped that this trip would allow him a moment of relaxation. His own wife, Madame Meng, had always been fond of the Qinhuai River as well.

Xiangling looked up with hopeful eyes. "Young Master, may I accompany you?"

Jiang Nian nodded with a smile. "You may."

Xiangling beamed with joy. She had heard that the scenery of the Qinhuai River was magnificent, but having been held captive by kidnappers, she had never seen it.

Now, things were finally looking up. She would be able to go boating on the Qinhuai with the Young Master she so admired.