[Water Margin] Hu Sanniang with her delicate hands - Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Since returning from the secret meeting in the secluded valley that night, Hu Sanniang’s state of mind had subtly changed. Dǎlǐbō’s words were like a boulder dropped into the still lake of her heart, stirring not just ripples, but a re-examination of the future and an indescribable restlessness. Those light brown eyes, burning with wildfire and starlight, frequently intruded into her thoughts.

Nevertheless, life at Liangshan Marsh continued on its established track. Under the surface calm, the undercurrents grew stronger. Song Jiang’s negotiations with the Liao envoys seemed to be entering a crucial phase, and the atmosphere within the stockade grew increasingly subtle.

This morning, just after Hu Sanniang finished her practice, Song Qing, one of Song Jiang’s personal guards, arrived, saying that Brother Gongming requested the Third Mistress to come to the side hall of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness for a discussion.

What must come, will come. Hu Sanniang knew that Song Jiang would not indefinitely postpone decisions regarding her “arrangement” or the agreement with the Liao Kingdom.

The side hall of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness was not as noisy as the main hall. It was tastefully decorated, resembling a study. Song Jiang and Wu Yong were already seated. Seeing Hu Sanniang enter, both wore genial smiles.

“Third Mistress has arrived, please take a seat quickly,” Song Jiang personally rose to greet her, his attitude almost deliberately cordial.

Hu Sanniang took her seat as requested, her expression calm, awaiting their purpose.

“The Third Mistress has been on the mountain for some time. Are you comfortable with the living conditions?” Song Jiang asked in a social tone.

“It is acceptable. Thank you, Leader Song, for your concern,” Hu Sanniang replied flatly.

“It’s good that you’re comfortable, good indeed,” Song Jiang stroked his beard and smiled. “I invited the Third Mistress here today for two matters. Firstly, our Liangshan Marsh is soon to ally with the Liao Kingdom to achieve our great ambition. This is a blessing for the stockade. The Liao envoys, especially Princess Dǎlǐbō, hold the Third Mistress in high regard.”

He paused, giving Hu Sanniang a meaningful look.

Hu Sanniang’s heart tightened slightly, but she showed nothing on her face: “The Princess is too kind. I am undeserving of such praise.”

“Ah, the Third Mistress is too modest,” Wu Yong interjected, lightly fanning himself. “The Princess has a keen eye for talent. The second matter is related to the Third Mistress. Now is a time when the stockade needs capable people. The Third Mistress’s martial skill is extraordinary. It would be a pity to let it be buried, wouldn’t it? Brother Gongming intends to formally invite the Third Mistress to join our ranks, take a seat in the hierarchy, and serve the stockade going forward, so as not to waste your great talent.”

The true intention was finally revealed.

Formally joining, taking a seat in Liangshan’s hierarchy, meant a complete severance from her past, becoming a bona fide “bandit,” with no path for retreat. This was fundamentally different from her forced residence here.

Hu Sanniang remained silent for a moment before looking up, her eyes clear, toward Song Jiang: “I appreciate Leader Song’s generosity. However, my father is elderly and has suffered greatly from these events. I must attend to him and fear I cannot take on heavy responsibilities. Furthermore, I am a defeated soldier of shallow experience. Being suddenly raised to a high position would likely fail to command respect.”

Her words were tactful, yet her stance was clear. She used filial piety and her lack of qualifications to politely reject the offer to formally join.

The smile on Song Jiang’s face faded slightly, and he exchanged a look with Wu Yong.

Wu Yong chuckled, mediating: “The Third Mistress’s filial devotion is commendable and touching. As for qualifications, there’s no need to worry; Liangshan rewards based on merit and is unconventional. Since the Third Mistress is not inclined at the moment, this matter can be discussed later.” He then changed the subject: “However, since you are in the stockade, there must be a protocol. With the Liao envoys here, and the Third Mistress having a favorable relationship with Princess Dǎlǐbō, Brother Gongming intends to ask the Third Mistress to interact more with the Princess during this time, partly to fulfill the duty of a host, and partly to demonstrate Liangshan’s sincerity in allying with the Liao Kingdom.”

This was the real purpose. To use her to maintain the relationship with Dǎlǐbō, to act as a special link, or rather, a pawn, between Liangshan and the Liao Kingdom.

Hu Sanniang sneered inwardly. Her interactions with Dǎlǐbō had not escaped Song Jiang’s surveillance, and now they were being exploited.

She could not refuse. Neither because of her current predicament nor the subtle, unacknowledged desire deep down to see Dǎlǐbō again.

“I will obey the command,” she lowered her eyes, concealing the thoughts within.

Seeing her acquiescence, Song Jiang’s smile became warmer again: “Good! That is excellent! Also, I observed that the Third Mistress’s daily attire is rather plain. When representing our Liangshan in interactions with the Liao Kingdom, one must not lose face.” He clapped his hands.

Two personal guards carried in a heavy wooden chest and set it on the ground, opening it. Inside the chest lay an exquisitely crafted set of women’s armor! It was not of Central Plains style but bore distinct foreign characteristics: a base of silver chainmail lined with dark leather, the plates polished into the shape of lotus petals, edged with deep red patterns. The heart protector was a polished black obsidian stone, which glowed with a dark, profound luster in the dim light of the side hall. Beside it lay a helmet of the same color, a phoenix-shaped doumou, with deep red tassels.

This set of armor was gorgeous and intricate, yet it exuded a chilling, beautiful, and alien sense of killing intent, completely out of place with Liangshan’s rugged style.

“This armor was acquired by chance. It is called ‘Xuanlian’ (Black Lotus), said to be the work of a Western Regions artisan. It is light yet sturdy, perfectly suited for the Third Mistress,” Song Jiang laughed. “I present it to the Third Mistress as a token of my regard.”

This “gift” was too heavy and too sudden.

Hu Sanniang looked at the stunningly eerie armor in the box, and alarm bells rang in her head. This was by no means a “chance acquisition”! Its style subtly echoed the riding attire Dǎlǐbō wore that day! Was it a coincidence, or a deeper attempt at probing and arranging by Song Jiang and Wu Yong?

If she accepted, it would mean implicitly agreeing to a certain role, and she would bear an even deeper Liangshan mark.

“Such a heavy gift, I dare not accept,” she refused again.

“Why be so modest, Third Mistress?” Wu Yong said, fanning himself. “Precious armor is given to heroes; rouge and powder to beauties. The Third Mistress is a female hero; this armor is rightfully yours. When interacting with the Liao envoys in the future, wearing this armor will also display the prestige of our Liangshan.”

The words were gentle, but carried an undeniable pressure.

Hu Sanniang’s hands in her sleeves tightened slightly. She knew that on this Liangshan Mountain, some “favors” could not be refused.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the humiliation and wariness in her heart, and slowly said: “Since that is the case… I thank Leader Song for the generous gift.”

“Haha, good! Quick-witted!” Song Jiang laughed heartily, visibly pleased. “Song Qing, send the armor to the Third Mistress’s courtyard.”

Exiting the side hall, Hu Sanniang walked down the corridor. Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting alternating light and shadow on her face. The set of armor named “Xuanlian” felt like a gorgeous set of shackles, weighing heavily on her heart.

Back in her small courtyard, the chest of armor had been placed in her room. Hu Cheng looked at the beautiful yet bizarre armor with worry: “Third Mistress, this…”

Hu Sanniang waved him off, walking alone to the chest. She stretched out her jade hand and lightly touched the cold black obsidian heart protector. The smooth surface reflected her complex and inexpressible expression.

This armor was a favor, but also a warning. It was a tool, but also a cage.

Song Jiang and Wu Yong were using this method to remind her of her place and attempt to firmly bind her to Liangshan’s war chariot, and perhaps even… exploit her subtle relationship with Dǎlǐbō.

And Dǎlǐbō… she sent a jade flask, offered strong wine, invited her to a secret meeting, and her words were full of recruitment and admiration. But behind this, was there also the calculation of the Liao Kingdom’s game with Liangshan?

What was she, exactly, in this vortex? An exquisite gift? A useful chess piece?

A deep sense of powerlessness seized her once more. Even after seeing the possibility of a wider sky, struggling to break free from this mire of reality was still so difficult.

Her gaze fell upon the deep red patterns on the dark armor. The color was like dried bl00d, and also like… the hue of the mare’s milk wine Dǎlǐbō had drunk, lingering on the jade flask that night.

Could her slender jade hand bear this mixture of favor and coercion after the destruction of her home? And could it grasp the faint light brought by the North Wind?

She did not know.

She only knew that the path ahead seemed even more shrouded in fog.