Chapter Nineteen: The Heroic Lady

“Hold tight, if you fall, you deserve to die,” the woman in red snorted, shaking the reins and spurring her horse forward.

The young man smiled and shook his head, riding after her.

Li Sanjian awkwardly wrapped his arms around the woman’s slender waist, holding on tightly, terrified of tumbling from the saddle.

Through the young man’s introduction, Li Sanjian learned that the young man’s surname was Chen, given name Sen, courtesy name Ximu, and the woman in red was named Chen Ke’er. They were siblings; their father was Chen Cao, courtesy name Jichang, son of the late imperial Ministry of Works official Chen Xiliang. The Chen family and the Su family had been friends for generations. Su Shi once served under Chen Xiliang, and later, Su Shi and Chen Cao became close confidants, sharing everything and often joking with one another, becoming friends despite their age difference.

When Su Shi was exiled to Qiong Tai Danzhou, Chen Cao, out of loyalty, intended to accompany him, but Su Shi politely declined.

Li Sanjian was traveling alone to Ling County in Qinzhou to study, passing by the place where Chen Cao and his family resided in seclusion. Su Shi sent a letter to Chen Cao, asking him to look after Li Sanjian.

Upon receiving the letter, Chen Cao immediately dispatched his third son to search for Li Sanjian along the route he would take. When he was found, Chen Cao ordered his son to bring Li Sanjian home, fulfilling the duties of a host.

Chen Sen and Chen Ke’er encountered Li Sanjian near Leizhou, after which a series of events unfolded, resulting in misunderstandings that were later resolved. Chen Sen then invited Li Sanjian to their residence.

Li Sanjian did not know how to ride, so he had to share a horse with either Chen Sen or Chen Ke’er. Their horses were Yunnan breeds, and not of the best stock, unable to carry two adults. Thus Li Sanjian rode with Chen Ke’er, who handled the reins, further deepening her disdain for him.

Li Sanjian was not yet fifteen, a mere youth; Chen Ke’er was only eleven, both far from adulthood, so Chen Sen didn’t think much of their riding together.

But Chen Sen could never have guessed—indeed, it was impossible to imagine—that Li Sanjian was not as innocent as he appeared, that he was clever beyond his years, and that, holding the charming and adorable Chen Ke’er, his mind was already wandering.

Those who train in martial arts are indeed physically vigorous. Li Sanjian, with a calm expression, pressed his palm against Chen Ke’er’s smooth waist, feeling her warmth and delighting in his own cleverness.

Having been kicked into the river by her and nearly killed by her sword, he thought, this was a fitting revenge. Now he was only collecting a little interest, and as for the future… heh heh…

A soft giggle escaped Chen Ke’er as Li Sanjian’s hand inadvertently brushed a bit more boldly; she was ticklish and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Little sister, what are you laughing at?” Chen Sen asked in surprise.

Li Sanjian’s movements were subtle, nothing outwardly amiss, only Chen Ke’er could feel it.

“I… I…” Chen Ke’er stammered, unable to explain, for Li Sanjian was teasing her in a way that a young girl could never say aloud. Besides, she was still a child, barely understanding such things.

Li Sanjian, aware of his own mischief, quickly changed the subject, “Ke’er…”

“Silence! Who gave you leave to call me Ke’er?” Chen Ke’er interrupted, her voice both shy and angry.

“Oh, this young lady’s horsemanship is truly remarkable,” Li Sanjian said awkwardly, trying to cover up.

“Indeed!” Chen Sen boasted, “My little sister began fencing at seven, and was riding by eight. Her skills are impressive; Father and Mother often praise her for being better than us brothers.”

“Oh, really?” Li Sanjian asked, “Is it a family tradition?”

“No,” Chen Sen replied, “It’s what Father learned during his travels in his youth.”

“I see.” Li Sanjian then asked, “Young lady’s swordsmanship is also quite impressive—I was nearly scared out of my wits by her.”

“Haha,” Chen Sen laughed, “Don’t be fooled by her age. Ordinary strong men can’t get close to her.”

“Oh? Is she really that formidable?” Li Sanjian feigned surprise.

Ordinary strong men can’t get close? Yet here I am, pressed right against her, he thought smugly, and his hands again began to gently caress Chen Ke’er’s waist.

Li Sanjian was feeling quite pleased.

Chen Ke’er endured his teasing and suffered in silence, unable to speak out. She wanted to shove him off the horse, but dared not disobey her father’s instructions. Furious, she shook the reins sharply and squeezed the horse’s sides with her legs. The horse, stung, neighed loudly and suddenly broke into a gallop.

Li Sanjian leaned back, nearly falling off, and dared not tease her anymore, gripping her waist tightly and clinging to the saddle. The wind whistled in his ears, and trees blurred past.

“Hey, hey, Ke’er, slow down! I’ve never ridden a horse before!” Li Sanjian cried out in terror.

Chen Ke’er burst out laughing at his desperate cries, “Useless! All you do is bully me. Hold on tight—if you fall, you’ll really die.”

“Hey, Ke’er, how have I bullied you?” Li Sanjian protested.

Are you not bullying me now? This lecher is taking full advantage, Chen Ke’er thought bitterly. “You say you didn’t bully me? The horse was startled, splashed some mud on you, it’s not like I did it on purpose—yet you scolded me!”

“Huh? I scolded you?” Li Sanjian argued, “I wasn’t scolding—I was praising you!”

Anyway, no one would have understood his earlier insults, Li Sanjian thought to himself, and this stubborn girl likely didn’t either.

“You’re lying,” Chen Ke’er said, unconsciously slowing the horse, “Your expression was clearly that of someone scolding.”

Just as I suspected, Li Sanjian thought; she judged by his look, not his words, leaving him room to maneuver.

“I am a scholar. The sages say, those who lie will have their tongues pulled out in hell. How could I deceive you? Truly, I was praising you,” Li Sanjian replied.

“Which sage said that?” Chen Ke’er asked, puzzled.

“Uh… a very ancient sage, from long ago,” Li Sanjian answered vaguely.

“Was it a monk? But there were no monks in ancient times—the Buddhist faith didn’t come to China until the Han dynasty,” Chen Ke’er countered.

“Oh… well…” Li Sanjian was at a loss.

“Don’t give me excuses, you’re lying again, definitely scolding me,” Chen Ke’er was not so easily fooled.

He’d been splattered with mud, and then shouted furiously—what else was that but scolding?

“I really wasn’t scolding you,” Li Sanjian insisted, “I was praising you.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Believe it or not, it’s up to you.”

“What were you praising me for?”

“Well… You’re beautiful, your riding is excellent. To be splashed with mud by such a lovely maiden is a blessing earned in three lifetimes. As the saying goes, a heroine’s mud is like dew from the heavens…” Li Sanjian rambled.

Chen Ke’er finally laughed, and Li Sanjian’s flattery hit the mark.

“Bah, who would believe you? Scholar, you’re nothing but a shameless rogue,” Chen Ke’er retorted, though her expression brightened.

“Lecher! Don’t touch me,” she said angrily.

“I’m innocent, lady knight! If I don’t hold on, I’ll fall off.”

“That’s no excuse for moving your hands.”

“Oh, then where should I hold?”

“Hold… Bah, lecher!”

…

The two rode together, bickering and laughing as they sped toward the Chen family manor.

…

The Chen family manor stood outside Leizhou, with dozens of houses of various sizes within its grounds, along with tall pavilions and towers, all built with refined elegance and solid strength.

“Disciple Li Hanren greets Master Uncle,” Li Sanjian said, bowing upon meeting Chen Sen’s father, Chen Cao.

Since Chen Cao and Su Shi addressed each other as brothers, Li Sanjian called him Master Uncle.

“Ah, no need for formalities,” Chen Cao said, lifting him with one hand and smiling.

Chen Cao appeared to be in his early forties, with a square face, thick and tidy brows, lively eyes, two inches of beard, and strong arms—clearly a man trained in martial arts.

“How is your teacher these days?” Chen Cao asked.

“My revered teacher is well,” Li Sanjian replied, “He often speaks fondly of Master Uncle.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Chen Cao sighed, “Ah, Brother Zizhan suffers such misfortune. Heaven is blind, the court unjust.”

“Master Uncle, don’t worry,” Li Sanjian said, “My teacher often says, ‘Three hundred lychees a day, I’d gladly live in Lingnan forever.’ Since things have come to this, he simply accepts his fate.”

“Haha, Li, you know, what I admire most about Brother Zizhan is that, though in adversity, his spirit remains open and cheerful. He is no ordinary man,” Chen Cao nodded.

“Master Uncle speaks truly,” Li Sanjian replied respectfully.

“Enough of such worries. Someone, prepare wine and a banquet for our guest,” Chen Cao instructed the servants.

“Father, where is Mother?” Chen Ke’er suddenly asked.

“She’s gone back to her family,” he replied with a smile. If she were here, could I host a banquet, invite singers and dancers? Chen Cao thought to himself.

Li Sanjian also wondered why Chen Cao’s mention of his wife returning to her family was accompanied by a certain gleam in his eye. Could their marriage be on the rocks?