Dispelling Spirits

Let us begin with the grand realm of Wangmai, a land blessed with abundant talent and picturesque scenery, where both the southern Xia Kingdom and the northern Snow Kingdom boast their own unique glories. As the poem goes:

Mountains clear and waters fair as one enters summer,
Swift winds and sudden snows spare not the southern land.
Cunning schemes and wild plots thrive with rivers near,
While strength and might with bow and blade ward off the northern chill.

Our tale begins upon the grasslands of the Snow Kingdom.

It was late March, and the snow upon the plains had yet to melt. At dusk, a caravan of a dozen riders moved slowly across the land. At the head rode a young nobleman, his silk garments fluttering, a scroll swaying gently in his hand with the rhythm of his horse. Eight or nine other youths, plainly dressed, surrounded a carriage at the center of the group.

“Mother!” A clear, ringing voice—sharp as gold striking stone—broke the evening stillness. A lively girl of twelve or thirteen, bright and pretty, lifted the carriage curtain and leapt out.

With a sigh, Ye Pei lowered her book, covered her face with her hand, and shook her head. “Keep moving,” she commanded, before slowing her mount to ride beside the carriage. Once alongside, she asked, “What is it?”

“Mother, I’m hungry. It’s so late—can’t we stop here?” Ye Feilan gazed up at Ye Pei with wide, expectant eyes. Before Ye Pei could reply, a servant spoke anxiously, “Young Miss, you may not know, but this place is plagued by bandits. We must reach the town ten miles a