Chapter One: The Journey Home

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 ahead by nightfall.”

Ye Feilan pouted. “At this pace, how long will ten miles take? I’m so tired of riding in the carriage… and Grandmother must be hungry too…” She glanced back at the carriage. From within came a gentle laugh. “Feilan, I am not hungry. Let your mother decide.”

Ye Pei looked at the setting sun. “If we go any faster, the ride will be too rough for you. Everyone must be hungry by now.” She then called out, “Everyone, halt! Set up camp and prepare to rest!”

At this, another servant protested, “Young Master, we cannot! There are only a dozen of us. If bandits come, should anything happen to Madam or Young Miss, we would pay with our heads…”

“Enough. I said halt, so halt. And you aren’t worried about me?” Ye Pei replied.

The servant lowered his head and mumbled, “Young Master, your skills are unrivaled. There is no need to worry about you.”

Ye Pei fell silent for a moment, watching the others unload tents. Then she raised her voice, “Don’t bother about me—see to your own tents, but leave two for me.”

Having said this, Ye Pei dismounted and entered the carriage, turning to the woman in her thirties seated next to Ye Feilan. “Mother, there’s no need to worry about bandits. Nothing will happen tonight—just rest well.”

Huang Qilin, Lady Ye, smiled softly. “And why are you so certain, son?”

Ye Feilan chimed in, “Yes, Mother, are you sure we won’t be attacked at night?”

With a confident tilt of her chin, Ye Pei replied, “Don’t worry. With my experience, nothing will happen tonight.” She slipped out of the carriage.

Ye Pei took two tents and, with practiced ease, set them up in moments. Watching the others fumbling with their own, she laughed heartily and called out, “Mother, Feilan, the tents are ready!”

“Ayi! Bring me a bow! Let’s go hunt some rabbits!” Ye Pei mounted her horse and shouted. At her call, Ayi tossed her a bow, grabbed his own quiver, and joined her as they rode off into the distance.

By the time everyone had pitched their tents and melted snow for noodles, Ye Pei and Ayi returned laden with game. Ye Pei carried a black spear, five rabbits skewered upon it, while Ayi had two in each hand. The others set about skinning and bleeding the rabbits, preparing them for roasting.

While working, Ayi glanced over at Ye Pei, who was chatting with her mother and daughter, and whispered to a companion, “Brother Rong, the Young Master’s aim… is truly uncanny!”

Xu Rong looked up. “Indeed. I heard from Uncle Meng that the Young Master’s martial arts are unfathomable. From childhood, even General Ye marveled at her talent. But Ayi, that spear…”

Ayi replied, “I don’t know how she does it. I was just saying there were too many rabbits to carry when she suddenly pulled that great spear from her belt. Now it’s vanished again.”

After dinner, night had fallen. The servants lit several fires, preparing to keep watch. Seeing this, Ye Pei asked, “What are you planning?”

Xu Rong replied, “Young Master, we’ll divide into two groups to guard in all directions, in case of a sneak attack.”

Ye Pei shook her head. “You have little experience but many ideas. No need—leave two or three on watch at a time, and if you’re tired, put out the fire and sleep. Why exhaust yourselves? How will you travel tomorrow with black circles under your eyes?”

Ayi protested, “Young Master, you know the officials here are useless and the bandits rampant! If we all stay alert, they won’t catch us off guard.”

Ye Pei smiled. “I’m well aware. Trust me, there’s a ninety percent chance nothing will happen tonight.” She was about to elaborate when Huang Qilin called her, so she tossed back, “Just do as I say!” and went to her mother.

Her words left the servants divided.

“Maybe we should listen to the Young Master? After all, she’s traveled often.”

“What’s there to listen to? The Young Master always had Uncle Meng with her. She doesn’t have much experience herself. Anything could happen at night. With the Madam and Young Miss here, if anything goes wrong, we’re all dead men. Better stick to our plan.”

In the end, the servants decided to keep their original watch.

Meanwhile, with her mother and daughter, Ye Pei was questioned by Huang Qilin. “Son, tell me, why are you so sure there will be no attack tonight? The others make a good point.”

Ye Pei glanced at Feilan’s equally puzzled gaze. “Ah… I’ve traveled enough to judge such things. Mother, do you know where these new guards come from, or why I brought them to Grandfather’s this time?”

Without waiting for a reply, Ye Pei continued, “They’re all new recruits who were weeded out for minor faults. All from villages around Shunxing City. Though raised in the wilds, Shunxing is near the capital, right under the Emperor’s nose—where would bandits come from? Even in the northern hills, the only threats are wild beasts. So, trust my judgment. Bringing them along will give them needed experience.”

“Mother,” Feilan asked, “are there really no bandits near Shunxing City?”

“Of course not. Do you think the officials are useless? Life is decent around Shunxing—at the very least, no one goes hungry. Who would turn to banditry?”

“But… Mother, didn’t the officials say they’d clear out the dangerous gangs in the city? I once heard Alan, who works in your courtyard, talk about two gangs fighting outside the city at night. Doesn’t that mean the officials aren’t so effective?” Feilan pressed.

“Ahem… Well, that’s… not something you need to know. It’s a difficult problem… even harder than dealing with bandits.” For once, the usually composed Ye Pei faltered. Lady Ye, who knew more, smiled quietly, while Ye Pei felt relieved to see Feilan nod as if she understood, though she silently cursed Alan back at home.

When Ye Pei returned from Lady Ye’s tent, she saw the servants still tending the fires, divided into two watch groups. She sighed and quietly retired to her own tent.

That night, those on the first watch started with eyes wide as oxen, but gradually began to doze. By the time the shift changed in the middle of the night, the second group found their fellows propped on weapons, barely conscious.

At dawn, as the eastern sky lightened, the servants relaxed. Exhausted from lack of sleep and the strain of vigilance, drowsiness washed over them like a tide.

Ye Pei emerged from her tent, scooped up a handful of snow to rinse her mouth and wipe her face, then asked a nearby servant, “Any attacks last night?”

The servant shook his head, dazed.

Ye Pei took the knife from his hand. “What did I say? And now, do you hear anything?”

The servant blinked, then shook his head again.

Ye Pei sighed. “So tired your senses are dulled. Wake everyone and go protect Madam and the Young Miss. Be gentle when you call them.”

The servant nodded and went to obey, but as he was about to ask why they were needed now, he heard hoofbeats and shouts approaching.

Seeing his expression, Ye Pei smiled. “Now you see why I said you lack experience? Go!”

“What’s happening? Why wake us so early?” Feilan, fully dressed, came out of her tent.

“You and Madam stay here—bandits are coming!” the servant replied.

Feilan froze, then shouted, “Mother! Bandits!”

Ye Pei touched her nose. “I spotted them long ago.”

“What do we do, Mother? There are bandits!”

“That’s why I’m standing here to block them. You and Grandmother stay quiet and don’t move.”

As she finished, a group of men rode up, circling the party.

The leader eyed Ye Pei, who stood in front with her blade. “Young man, you know the rules, don’t you?”

“I do,” Ye Pei answered, “but…”

“We are the Ye family of Shunxing City! You’d best think twice!” A voice rang out, piercing and clear.

Ye Pei’s words were cut off. Rubbing her forehead, she thought, “This silly, naive daughter…”

At the name Ye family of Shunxing, the bandits’ eyes gleamed. One whispered to their leader, “Boss, this is a big one…”

The chief considered, then muttered, “If we just rob them, they’ll come for revenge. Killing’s out. But if we kidnap… Fine, we’ll get the ransom and move on. Those two women are important.”

He raised his voice. “Brothers! Tie up those two, but don’t harm them! Go!”

With a shout, the bandits tightened their circle.

Ye Pei sighed. “Foolish…” In a flash of cold light, as her scabbard thudded to the ground, Ye Pei leapt onto the bandit chief’s horse in a few bounds.

Startled, the bandit leader reached for his weapon, but a calm, commanding voice rang out behind him, carrying to all present.

“Everyone, halt.”

The bandits turned and quickly reined in their horses, ceasing their advance. Yet a few still tried to press forward, hoping to overpower the weary, red-eyed guards and seize the two women.

But nothing escaped Ye Pei’s notice. “Want to see how quick my blade is?” She spoke, and a crimson line appeared on the chief’s neck. Instantly, the bandits froze, not daring to move.

“Ah… you lot. Have you finished sowing your fields that you’re out here courting death?” Ye Pei crouched on the horse, idly twirling her sword.

“Careful with that blade, young hero…” the chief stammered, nearly losing control of himself.

Ye Pei glanced at him, sheathed her sword, and lifted the chief down, pointing her blade at the others. “Well, it’s nothing serious. Just leave. I can’t be bothered with you. Go on, scatter.”

At that moment, the bandit chief caught sight of the unique emblem on the jade pendant at Ye Pei’s waist.

“You’re… the Jade Spirit Hero?”

“Yes, that’s me,” Ye Pei replied, slightly surprised.

At once, the chief exclaimed, “Forgive us, Hero. We didn’t know. I hope we didn’t scare the ladies…”

Hearing this title, the bandits withdrew from their encirclement and gathered together.

Ye Pei released the chief and said, “If I weren’t here, would you really rob the Ye family? Do you take us for corrupt officials, fat pigs to be slaughtered? Even if you’d succeeded, my family wouldn’t bother to hunt you down.”

The chief remounted, cupped his fists. “My apologies, Young Master Ye. We take our leave.”

Ye Pei put away her sword and glanced at her ghostly, exhausted servants. “Alright, go get some sleep…”

Three evenings later, as Ye Pei’s party returned to Shunxing City, they ran into Alan just outside the gates.

“Young Master! Something terrible happened while you were gone—uh…” Catching sight of Feilan peering from the carriage, Alan swallowed his words.