[Water Margin] Hu Sanniang with her delicate hands - Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Consciousness gradually returned amidst jostling and movement.

The first sensations were the hard wooden planks beneath her and the rattling sound of carriage wheels rolling over uneven ground. The air filling her nostrils was no longer the familiar scent of cold plum blossoms or the manor’s fireplace smoke, but a rough, utilitarian odor of marching—a mix of sweat, leather, dust, and a faint hint of bl00d.

Hu Sanniang’s eyes snapped open.

She saw the swaying canvas roof of the carriage, simple and covered in a layer of dust. She was lying in a large supply wagon, with some dry grass padding beneath her. When she tried to move, a fierce ache immediately radiated from her limbs, especially in her arms and the spot on her chest that Lin Chong had injured, which was throbbing painfully. She couldn’t help but let out a very small gasp.

“Third Mistress, are you awake?” A low voice, mixed with surprise and worry, came from beside the carriage. It was Hu Cheng. He was riding a horse next to the wagon, his face etched with fatigue, concern, and a trace of guilt for failing to fully protect his mistress.

“Where… are we?” Hu Sanniang’s voice was extremely hoarse, her throat dry as if on fire.

“We are already on the road to Liangshan Marsh, and have been traveling for most of the day.” Hu Cheng quickly handed her a waterskin. “You’ve been unconscious for a day and a night. The Squire… the Squire is safe, arranged in another carriage and being looked after by a physician. It’s just…” His voice dropped. “The manor is gone.”

The last three words, like ice-cold needles, stabbed deeply into Hu Sanniang’s heart. She silently took the waterskin and drank a few gulps of cold water. The chill slid down her throat but could not extinguish the burning grief and helplessness in her chest.

She lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out.

It was already twilight. The setting sun was the color of bl00d, staining everything around them with a tragic, gorgeous orange-red. The long column of troops wound its way forward, all bearing the flags and symbols of the Liangshan forces. The bandits who had fought her to the death beneath the manor wall were now mostly relaxed, even showing the smugness of victors. They laughed loudly and talked, their eyes occasionally glancing at this prison-like supply wagon, with undisguised curiosity, scrutiny, and even… a few looks of male appraisal that made her extremely uncomfortable.

She quickly dropped the curtain, blocking those suffocating gazes. Leaning against the cold carriage wall, she slowly closed her eyes.

A defeated general, a prisoner. This was her current predicament.

Her father was temporarily safe, the guards, women, and children were spared, and the condition of not marrying Wang Ying was granted… this was the best outcome she could have fought for in her desperate situation. But this result still carried an indelible humiliation.

The convoy traveled for about another hour until the sky was completely dark before stopping before a stretch of sprawling water. They saw thousands of interlocking waterways, spanning eight hundred li in all directions. In front of Lier Marsh, banners fluttered, and a magnificent mountain stronghold was built next to the water, brightly lit, reflecting the shimmering water, creating a formidable atmosphere.

This was Liangshan Marsh.

Hu Sanniang was helped out of the carriage by Hu Cheng, her feet feeling unsteady on the unfamiliar ground. She forced herself to stand straight, adjusting her wrinkled clothes. Despite her disarray, her back remained ramrod straight. She saw her father, Squire Hu, also being helped out of the carriage. Their eyes met, full of complex, unspoken emotion—a silent, heavy understanding.

A leader immediately stepped forward to guide them, leading the father and daughter and some prominent captured figures from the Hu Family Manor through layers of barricades toward the Assembly Hall—now renamed the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness.

As they walked, they saw layers of passes, solid stockade gates, well-equipped and bright luoro (henchmen) soldiers, and strict patrols. It was indeed a Dragon’s Den, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Thinking of her attempt to resist this place with the strength of a single manor, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of the absurd, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

In front of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, torches illuminated the area as brightly as day. Two rows of muscular men, holding gleaming sabers and axes, stood solemnly on both sides, their eyes sharp, exuding a palpable murderous aura. Inside the hall, over a hundred leaders sat densely packed, with varied appearances—some ferocious, some bold and unrestrained, some somber—their gazes all fixed on Hu Sanniang and the others entering.

Those gazes were like tangible things, carrying curiosity, scrutiny, contempt, admiration… all kinds of emotions, interwoven into an invisible, stifling net. Hu Sanniang could clearly feel several exceptionally hot, even lewd stares. Without looking, she knew one of them definitely came from the short, ugly Wang Ying. She kept her eyes straight ahead, her chin slightly raised, her jade-like face covered with a layer of frost, suppressing all her inner emotions.

In the center of the hall, three chairs were placed. The one in the middle, a dark, short man with phoenix eyes, was “Timely Rain” Song Jiang. To his left was a man in scholarly attire, wearing a feathered fan and silk scarf, “The Resourceful Star” Wu Yong. To his right, a man with stellar eyebrows and sword-like eyes, possessing an extraordinary temperament, was “Jade Unicorn” Lu Junyi.

“Squire Hu, Third Mistress, it has been a tiring journey.” Song Jiang stood up, a gentle smile on his face, his tone warm, as if he were hosting distant guests rather than addressing prisoners. “Our actions on the battlefield were regrettable, done out of necessity, as each side was defending its own. Now that you have joined my Liangshan, we are all one family. Past grievances are laid aside. Please be at ease.”

His words were courteous, and his posture quite humble, yet the oppressive atmosphere in the hall and the menacing leaders on both sides constantly reminded Hu Sanniang that this so-called “one family” was built upon the ruins of the Hu Family Manor.

Squire Hu’s face was ashen. He managed a weak cupped-hand salute but could not speak.

Hu Sanniang stepped forward, giving a curtsy. Her movement retained the dignity of her family’s status, her voice as clear and cold as before: “A defeated general dares not speak of hardship. I thank Leader Song for keeping his promise and preserving the lives of my father and the manor people.”

Her attitude was neither servile nor arrogant. She acknowledged defeat while also highlighting Song Jiang’s promise, placing herself in a relatively equal position, rather than that of a fawning captive.

A flicker of surprise crossed Song Jiang’s eyes, and his smile broadened: “Third Mistress is a heroine who yields nothing to men. Your martial arts are excellent, and your nature is fierce—I admire you. My Liangshan Marsh gathers for righteousness, acting on Heaven’s behalf, focusing on aiding the distressed and rescuing the needy, and we hold heroes in the highest regard. Third Mistress and Squire Hu, please stay here on the mountain and rest assured. Future arrangements will be made in due course.”

He completely avoided mentioning the details of the arrangements, especially for Hu Sanniang, clearly intending to keep them placated for now.

At this moment, a voice from a seat below chimed in sarcastically: “Brother, this Hu Sanniang killed many of our brothers. Are we just going to let it go? In my opinion, we should…”

Without turning her head, Hu Sanniang recognized the voice of “Black Whirlwind” Li Kui, the bl00d enemy who had slaughtered her entire family at the Hu Family Manor! Her hands hidden in her sleeves clenched instantly, her fingernails digging deep into her palms, barely suppressing the impulse to unleash a torrent of questions and murderous intent.

“Iron Ox, don’t talk nonsense!” Song Jiang’s face darkened, and he rebuked him. “Once they enter my stockade, they are brothers! Don’t bring up past matters!”

Li Kui sullenly shut his mouth but continued to glare with his ox eyes at Hu Sanniang’s retreating back.

Song Jiang offered a few more words of comfort to Squire Hu, then ordered people to escort them to the rear stockade for lodging. Henchmen stepped forward, ready to lead the way.

Just as Hu Sanniang turned to leave, a hot, greedy, and almost unconcealed gaze, like a sticky, poisonous snake, locked onto her. Without looking, she knew the direction—Wang Ying.

She did not pause her steps, nor did she even glance in that direction, acting as if the nauseating gaze did not exist. But she could feel the stare clinging to her like a maggot, imbued with an inevitable possessiveness that sent a chill down her spine.

She knew that Song Jiang’s promise might restrain Wang Ying temporarily, but in this lair of jackals and tigers, the so-called “to be discussed later” might not be delayed for long. Wang Ying’s delusion, Li Kui’s enmity, and the various hidden intentions of the other leaders… The Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness seemed grand, but beneath it lay countless thorns, making every step perilous.

She was led to a secluded small courtyard in the rear stockade. Although not luxurious, it was clean and tidy, showing that Song Jiang had maintained appearances. Hu Cheng was arranged to guard the perimeter, which was also, effectively, a form of surveillance.

Dismissing the attending henchmen and closing the door, Hu Sanniang stood alone in the empty room. Outside the window was the unfamiliar night view of Liangshan Marsh and the sound of patrolling footsteps.

She walked to the washstand and slowly cleaned the dust and dried bl00d from her face and hands with cold water. The reflection in the water was still beautiful but marked by fatigue and an enduring coldness.

Her jade hand touched her chest; the spot injured by Lin Chong still throbbed faintly. This pain reminded her of the brutal reality, and also of the deep-seated vulnerability she had unconsciously sought solace for, even in her coma.

Liangshan Marsh was her prison, and perhaps, it would also be the starting point for her next struggle.

And where was that shadow of “her,” the one that had given her a fleeting sense of security when her consciousness was clouded?

Had the northern winds and frost reached the ears of a certain Princess?