After a good while, Chen Rong’s answer remained resolute: “Say no more. Let’s just go to the Wang estate.”
Old Shang had given up by now. He sighed and slowly drove the carriage to the Wang estate.
Soon, Chen Rong’s horse-drawn carriage pulled up to the Wangs’ side entrance.
She stared at a hesitant Old Shang, who jumped off with a glum face and walked to the gatekeeper.
The gatekeeper was a lanky man in his late twenties; he glanced at Chen Rong’s carriage and shouted at Old Shang: “Due to the current circumstances, our master has ordered that those who come with an invitation may enter through the main entrance.” When he finished, he impatiently waved Old Shang away.
At this time, Chen Rong showed her face and raised the jade ornament Wang Hong had given her. “Qilang has given me permission to come.”
The gatekeeper trotted over to look at the jade pendant, giving it several glances before suddenly crying: “Are you Ah Rong of the Chen house?”
“Aye.”
He looked her up and down and muttered, “Sure is fetching. No wonder.” He then frowningly said, “Didn’t you know? Qilang isn’t home.”
Chen Rong dropped her gaze. “I want to see the servants who had come here with Qilang.”
He nodded and waved her in. “Come in, come in. Qilang had stayed in the south courtyard.”
The side gate opened to let the carriage pull inside.
Chen Rong ignored the gatekeeper who was still eyeing her with curiosity and disregard. She held her head high and glanced around the Wang estate’s décor.
After the carriage went some ten paces, Chen Rong removed her veiled hat and smoothed out her dress.
Soon, they arrived in the south courtyard. Old Shang parked by the arched doorway where a burly man in his mid twenties came out. He gave the carriage a quick glance and shouted: “Who’s there?”
Old Shang jumped down and respectfully said, “My mistress…”
Not waiting for him to finish, the man impatiently waved his hand and yelled: “Why have you come now of all times? Qilang isn’t here!”
At this point, Chen Rong’s lovely voice sounded from her carriage. “I’m Ah Rong of the Chen house.” She lifted the curtain and hopped down, walking to the large man and showing him the jade ornament. “This is the jade pendant Qilang had given me.”
The large man gave it a look, bowed and said, “Good greetings, miss.”
He stepped back and welcomed Chen Rong inside.
Once she entered the courtyard that was filled with trees and rockeries, Chen Rong found ten parked carriages and a hundred armored servants. They were all large and strong. When they saw Chen Rong approach, they couldn’t help but stare at her.
At this time, the man behind Chen Rong explained, “We’ve just finished preparations and were about to leave.”
“I know,” Chen Rong said with a nod to his surprise.
She stopped and curtsied to the servants, bowing her head humbly while stating with a clear voice: “I’ve come to go with you to Mo’yang.”
“Miss?” Old Shang cried. He sounded both confused and dismayed.
Chen Rong did not answer his call. She kept her curtsying posture, resolute in her dutiful look.
The servants exchanged gazes and then turned to a scholar, who stared at Chen Rong, asking: “Are you Ah Rong of the Chen house?”
“Aye.”
He frowned and said in seriousness, “Do you know that Mo’yang is currently under the barbarians’ siege? The odds are against us if we go there at this time.” He pointed behind him. “They are all retainers from the house of Wang. None hope to keep their lives on this trip. What about you?”
“I have two friends in my life,” Chen Rong calmly replied. “Young General Sun is the first, and Qilang is the second. They are now both in Mo’yang.” She paused, then added: “I told Qilang that I owe him my life. If there’s a chance to repay him, then I will.”
“Will you regret your decision?”
“Nay.”
“Excellent!”
The scholar lit up. He bowed deeply to Chen Rong and said, “I didn’t peg you for a lady of heroics! This way, miss!”
Chen Rong nodded and walked to the carriage behind him.
At this time, Old Shang cried out: “Miss, let me go with you.”
Chen Rong turned around and met Old Shang’s eyes. Seeing insistence in them, she gave some thought, nodded and said, “Go back and bring some luggage for me. Then come meet us at the north gate.”
“Aye,” Old Shang replied glumly.
Chen Rong watched him drive away and then turned and walked to an empty carriage.
“Why are you in such a hurry, miss?” a scholar asked, staring at her.
“I made a guess that you gentlemen would be leaving. I was afraid I’d be late so I didn’t think I had time to prepare any luggage.”
The scholar exclaimed in surprise: “My, were you able to even guess this? You’re just as extraordinary as Qilang says you are. Please, this way.”
At his invitation, Chen Rong bowed and mounted the carriage.