The Legend of Chu Qiao - V1C7
Chapter 7
Snakes
Chu Qiao, age 9
It was December, at the end of the year 770 according to the Bai Cang calendar. It was December, at the end of the year 770 according to the Bai Cang calendar. At the northwestern border, the Quan Rong people had invaded, burning everything as their large army advanced.
Within twenty days, the war grew more intense, and tens of thousands of ordinary people living outside the gates were swept into the conflict. The northwestern gates were located at a specific point, between the western fief controlled by the Ba Tu Ha clan and the territory of Northern Yan, governed by the Yan King. The northwestern Old Ba Tu had fought the Northern Yan's Lion King for many years.
Today, as the Mu He clan—who supported Old Ba Tu—solidified its power within the empire, the Ba Tu Ha family gained the advantage. Over the past year, they finally took control of the northwestern gates through violence, eliminating all the officers stationed there. Meanwhile, other clans within the empire were also sending their children to the northwest, aiming to infiltrate the empire's largest military system. As a result, the old generals with extensive experience, who had guarded the border, were overthrown. Those who rose to power were the empire's elites, who had never seen bloodshed.
This was exactly why the Quan Rong people invaded the border. They exploited the situation and paid a small price to pass through the gates, allowing their cavalry to surge into miles of fertile land beyond.
Although the Ba Tu Ha family quickly resisted the attack by sending their elite soldiers into battle, their lack of knowledge about the enemy and the many factions within the gates meant that their efforts required greater cooperation. The confusion among the troops only worsened. Emergency letters flooded the capital, pleading with the Zhen Huang elders to send forces to defend against the invaders.
It was the 27th day of the lunar month. The broken star appeared, and Zhao Ming went into hiding. The priest inside the Qin Temple made a prophecy: the Taihe star is indifferent, and the waters of chi contain ice. A calamity is approaching us.
The seven families of power discussed late into the night, finally agreeing to send the Huang Tian Brigade to the gates to stabilize the northwestern region.
When the call to arms was issued, it was sent to the Sheng Jin Palace. After the emperor read it, he replied, "Permitted."
Within moments, Zhen Huang's capital was swept by fierce winds, and the powerful families became frightened. In the pitch-black night, swift currents roared beneath the thick ice on the river's surface.
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Chu Qiao was busy working among the dried bushes at the northern pavilion, carefully searching for winter cat snakes. Suddenly, a loud horn sounded from a distance, like a majestic and powerful crane cawing. She slowly stood up, squinting toward the south of Zhen Huang City. There stood the Cheng Jin Palace.
On nights, roads were challenging to navigate.
The next afternoon, heavy snow fell under the sun. Inside the glass of the Qing Shan Pavilion, two white jade snow dogs sparkled brightly, their intricate carvings shining. A massive snowfall the night before had accumulated nearly a foot of snow. The cleaners walked past the dogs, not daring to look at them, fearing they might get into trouble.
Jin Cai wore a traditional Han vest made from dark ebony fabric and a beautiful red dress with a pink belt tied around her waist. She stood on the snow-covered ground, looking as stunning as ever. This young female servant, who was always at the Fourth Young Master's side, was barely thirteen but appeared slim and elegant, drawing admiration for her striking looks. When she was beside her Master, she was warm and gentle, but now, she had become proud and overbearing. Her tone was cold as she looked at the children with disdain.
They wore thin clothes while carrying the jade dogs. She said, "Hold it tightly. The Young Master has said that jade has life. It will become smooth and clear when it encounters human energy. You pathetic slaves should feel honored to serve the Fourth Young Master. Don't be lazy. If anyone disobeys when I return, you will be dragged to Ting Lake to feed the fish." The children nodded timidly as Jin Cai sneered before heading back into the warm flower room.
After the snow, it kept getting colder. Even wearing a ferret-fur coat and sitting by the heaters wouldn't have helped much, but these children had only a thin layer of clothes on outside in the cold. Their lips froze solid in just moments.
Chu Qiao carried a tray of fresh peaches as she left Lan Shan Yard. When Jin Cai saw her, she hurried out of the flower room and called out to her.
Chu Qiao paused and turned around, her face flushing red and looking clueless. She said, with a tilt of her head, "Sister Jin Cai, is something wrong?"
“The Fourth Young Master is taking his afternoon nap. Just pass me the peaches.”
Chu Qiao smiled and nodded, handing over the peaches. Jin Cai turned and walked back into the flower room. Before she could settle in, a roar erupted from Xuan Hall. Jin Cai hurriedly set down the peaches and rushed toward the noise.
Before she could reach the door, a colorful shadow shot out, hitting her face with a swoosh. When she felt it, it was soft and cold, with a greasy texture. However, it smelled disgustingly fishy.
Jin Cai looked down and saw a small snake with its head raised. She was terrified and cried as she fell to the ground.
Chu Qiao rushed into the room and saw Zhuge Yue, his brow deeply furrowed as he lay on the couch in light green clothes. Dark blood was streaming from his wrist, clearly bitten by a snake. She quickly moved forward, grabbed his wrist, and picked up a fruit knife from the table to cut the wound.
The servants outside the room saw this scene, and some hurried in to arrest this treacherous little slave.
Zhuge Yue raised his brows and gently waved his hands, stopping his servants from rushing forward. They saw Chu Qiao cut a cross-shaped wound on his wrist, squeezing it tightly for a moment as she sucked the poison out with her mouth. Then, she spat it out and hurriedly said, "Young Master, please do not exert any strength, or the poison will spread faster. I will go get you the doctor."
Many slaves are gathered at the door right now. Jin Cai hurried forward, pushing Chu Qiao aside as she knelt on the ground, holding Zhuge Yue's hand. She cried, "Young Master, how are you?"
Zhuge Yue frowned as she grabbed his hand, looking annoyed. His feet hit her chest as he kicked her away, growling, "Scram!"
When Jin Cai touched the ground, she screamed in terror. Snakes were crawling all over the ground, nearly twenty of them. It looked terrifying and strange.
Chu Qiao immediately lit a candle, using fire to scare away the snakes since they feared it. They backed off right away. The Zhuge family doctor hurried into the room as the crowd scattered. The Qing Shan Court servants knelt at the door in fear, their faces pale.
After a moment, the doctor came out alone and asked the servants, "Who is Xing’er?"
Chu Qiao pushed through the crowd, her small stature and gentle face evident. She softly whispered as she raised her hand, "I am, sir."
The doctor was surprised she was so young. Slightly dazed, he said uncertainly, "Come in. The Fourth Young Master said that you sucked the blood out for him. He asked me to check on you as well."
About a hundred servants kneeled there. Everyone looked up in shock, their eyes fixed on Chu Qiao. Chu Qiao's expression changed to one of fear. She kowtowed several times, thanking the Master for his kindness. Then, she followed the doctor into Xuan Hall.
In the cold wind, the servants who initially welcomed the powerful but looked down on the weak quickly changed their minds about Chu Qiao.
Within a few moments, Chu Qiao stepped out with a composed expression, showing no signs of fear.
When the doctor left, Jin Cai and Jin Chu, the two servants, led a few higher-ranking servants into the room. Zhuge Yue leaned back in his chair. With his eyes half closed, he asked softly, "Who is on duty in this house today?"
Jin Chu looked at Jin Cai. Her face was ashen with fear, and she stammered, "Young Master, I, I am, I just…"
"Say no more." Zhuge Yue's voice was cold and deep. "You know the rules here. I don't keep lazy servants. Go down and receive thirty lashes of the cane. After that, take my letter to the An Jun Court to find another job."
Once she heard his words, Jin Chu's tears streamed down her face. She sobbed as she knelt on the ground, "Young Master, can you forgive me this time? I would not dare do it again."
Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow. Two burly guards immediately stepped forward, pulling Jin Chu out of the room.
"Who are the gatekeepers?"
Two servants knelt on the floor, trembling as they kept kowtowing. They were so frightened that they didn’t speak a word.
Zhuge Yue opened his eyes and looked at the two servants. He said, "It's you two?" With a slight sneer, he added, "All this time, you've been hitting others. This time, grab the canes and go to the well to hit each other. When one dies, the other won't have to face punishment."
The house was filled with dead silence, and Zhuge Yue was upset because of his injured wrist. He frowned and ordered, "Get out, all of you! Just looking at you makes me annoyed."
Everyone looked as if they had been pardoned. They shuffled back in unison. This time, a small voice suddenly squeaked, "Young Master, can I shift the pots containing burnt rattan outside Xuan Hall?"
Zhuge Yue raised his brows, looking toward the voice.