A decade later…
The commercial city of ShanWei was as bustling as ever. More multi-story buildings had sprung up from the past several years and the ports reached further out to sea. Urban development continued its course.
One such newly constructed office building was now organizing its grand opening. Vertical banners of red, imprinted with characters of cherished fortunes draped up from the third story of stone tiled roof supports. Bouquets of rings of flowers covered the main double door entrance of dark hardwood under a concrete archway. The bricked walls were painted with a deep coat of dark brown, making it stand out amidst blocks of gray and beige.
Numerous people were flocking in with their best of dresses. A myriad of red, cream, lavender, green and blue were sighted from up above where a bright lean man rested on an open windowsill. He wore a tightened robe of turquoise blue with black patterned lines and red and white accents, while a rosy red hairpin fastened a tight bun for his upper hair. Inclining over his shoulder, a Jian, crusted with jade, was snuggled in his arm. Chewing on a wild grass stem, he soon heard the sounds of a rattling horse carriage coming out of the shed near the main building. A man screamed at the top of his lungs as he brought the steeds to speed.
“She’s not here yet, huh?”
The man sneered at the thought.
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The carriage intersected onto a main street, riding across several turns before passing through a flourishing park of flora. Lines of gazebos were packed with people and a central tiled path led into the Relay Guild office’s front entrance, where the man halted his carriage. Alerting the passenger inside, a middle-aged man with a twig-like figure emerged, donning a clerical beige HanFu robe. He rubbed his long beard as he readjusted his working cap.
“Just how long would that young Ms take?” the man grumbled.
He then took long strides, storming into the building with frustrated eyes.
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Meanwhile, at the third floor of the Relay Guild office, a lady was walking towards the main counter with a wrapped box and letter in hand. Approaching the front desk, engraved with familial golden dragon and lion patterns, she handed them the permission documents before her desired goods. After the officer certified the transaction to be authentic, he left with the goods to prepare for transport.
Seconds later, he returned with a parchment of approval, stamped in red.
She smiled from ear to ear at her accomplishment.
Inserting the document into her sleeve pockets, the lady passed an entourage of high-class merchants before making her way downstairs, passing decorative water paintings and pottery. Finally, she reached the lowest floor where the lady made contact with the clerical man at last, who seemed furious, according to her.
Putting her hands up in humoural guilt, she hurried out of the building with him and later got into the luxurious carriage before Mr Tai signaled for the driver to start his course. Immediately, sounds of a whip can be heard from within as the carriage rocked into gaining speed. They were on their way back.
Within the compartment, nestled straight in the middle of the sofa seat, looking at his long face, she eventually addressed him, “Mr Tai-”
“What the hell are you doing there at this time of day, young Ms!” he quickly interrupted, “You should know how important today is, don't you?”
She lowered her head.
“...About that, Mr Tai, I seemed to have trouble wondering how to write back to my family. This is the day after all, the one where ‘White Ink’ will be in the ranks with those shipping and trading corporations.’
The middle-aged man sighed.
“Young Ms, you do know that out of the 48 local conglomerates throughout the Middle Kingdom, we already are ahead of 29 in nearly all categories, and to add more to their injury, we are the youngest of them all.”
She exhaled deeply.
“That’s common knowledge, Mr Tai, but what matters now is ‘presentation’! We finally got ourselves a grand headquarters now and this will be the start of our international translator service segment. Today surely is a great day, an important day to send back home my very first letter in a decade. I hope you do understand that.”
“...So they never sent a letter back this whole time?”
“They did, only…after I gave them such heartbreak after I left so abruptly, it-it just doesn’t feel right with me to open up like nothing had ever happened. And…I am still scared of their response. Isn’t it quite laughable that I am just gathering the courage to write now? And it is all under the pretense of money to start the conversation. Arghhh…I am such a coward.”
Mr Tai wanted to insert a joyful remark but decided otherwise.
“How much did you send them?”
“...90 Gold tags.”
Stunned for a second, Mr Tai reached in closer to her.
“See, young Ms? Do you think just anyone could have raised that much money in less than a decade? With all I’ve met, no one has ever reached that far. You have exceeded my expectations ever since I first served you that red braised pork belly and rice…So cheer up, will you? We are nearly arriving.”
Looking out her window, she saw lines of parked carriages of luxurious variety. It truly was a celebration that her company was arranging. They truly had come a long way.
“Mr Tai?”
“Yes, young Ms?”
“How do you still remember what I first paid for?”
“It’s easy, young Ms. It’s still today’s speciality ‘till this day.”
“Would my brother be elated that I finally replied? Or will he be enraged instead?”
“That’s a question only you can answer. Who knows him best? You do.”
“...”
“But if it were me…it would be a mix of both.”
She frowned upon his answer but…
“Thank you, Mr Tai.”
She was satisfied nonetheless.
It was about that time when the carriage halted, and Mr Tai helped escort the lady out to her room to make herself more presentable for the opening in less than an hour’s time.
---
The lean man lazily came down from his resting spot, having had the returning sounds of the rushing carriage ringing in his ears for a while.
Landing two stories down, onto the ground in a graceful glide of a dandelion, his long sleeves and lower robe fluttered grandly, making ongoing guests move out of his way. Locking the sword onto his belt, he tightened his fittings before entering the inner door to the grand hall. For this to later be a specialized zone for serving the extra wealthy, it gave off the necessary welcome one would expect for such a class and now, it was packed with important officials and large red cloth tables full of white earthenware and food.
He wandered about, picking out plates of dishes and cups of varieties of tea but in the end, subconsciously remained at the wine section, pacing himself well with controlled sips of it. Given his well known popularity, one might find it weird that no one bothered to start up a long conversation with the man, knowing that all their livelihoods were built on connections and proposals. All he gave were smiles and one liners before feigning distraction. To the contrary, he was ranked high above most of them, in terms of power and influence, and the ability to come out on top in a fight. As he let out a consecutive streak of loud burps, no one reprimanded him, even the hosts of White Ink. Shamelessness was written all over and the man continued his indulgence, until a certain clerical man entered the hall.
Red curtains made way for Mr Tai as he cleared his throat before addressing the huge crowd. The lean man shifted forward in his seat, looking on with anticipation.
“Attention, everyone! Attention!” Mr Tai raised his hands in the air.
And as the crowds’ gaze fell upon him, he continued, “the co-founder of the prosperous White Ink and Department Head of Letter-Writing and Translation respectively, Xu TianXing, will be making her entrance shortly. Please give her a warm welcome!”
Immediately, the crowd emerged in wondrous applause while the lean man gulped on another cup of wine, finishing the last of the bottles on his table. He was still sober.
The sounds died right after, and a gorgeous, refined woman walked to the front of the hall. All eyes on her. Normally, the context for a lady’s center stage would be of engagement and ceremony. Yet right here, years above the accepted matchmaking range, TianXing stood as one of the richest of her generation that earned all her money and power solely due to her own efforts. Her dress robe was wine purple and glossy black, decorated with floral patterned accents dyed in shining violet and tied at the waist with wide lavender ribbons. An inner layer of maroon red clothing with white lapels shyly wrapped tight around her long neck. Overall, the long fabrics enveloped nicely around her well-defined outline of a torso and raised, large chest, accompanied along with a doll-like face of porcelain skin, rosy lips, clear jawline and long jet black hair, comparable to the finest of silk. For her more pronounced baggy eyes and larger wrinkles, non-existent from other women of her age, it truly was a unique sight to witness and a proof of her immense endeavors. The lean man’s eyes stared wide open.
“Welcome…Welcome everyone and thank you for coming to this very eventful period for White Ink. All this would have been impossible, if not for the help of my treasured subordinates, cooperative partners of all sorts and most importantly, the honorable elder of Wen Shipping Company, Mr Wen TaiXian.”
All gazes turned to a corner in the back where a seated Mr Wen raised his glass with a smile.
“I am at a loss for words to describe my emotions currently, looking at what we all built, an extensive system of communication, aiding the ever relevant Relay Guild, initiated by The Emperor himself, to greater heights! For the betterment of the people!”
The man sneered as he gladly raised his secondary glass of tea.
“Cheers everyone! For an auspicious future together!”
TianXing held high a plate of wine before the mass all drank in unison.
“Please enjoy the party for the grand opening!” was her parting words as they all went into rabid applause one more time.
---
Roughly getting up from his seat, he shoved past several clumps of guests to be in the view of the lady in the purple dress.
Currently, she was swallowed by another crowd of merchants and the clerical man could be seen struggling to catch up with her, panting as he goes, like a royal attendant to a rebellious young princess. It was cute, he thought to himself.
The chatter became louder and louder and the cluster grew the closer he went. Soon enough, calling at a distance would not bring her attention, nor would the sight of him be obvious from her spot. His face darkened and a smirk grew.
Suddenly, a wave of intense pressure washed over the crowds undeterred. The ground felt heavier and everyone instinctively turned to him in fear. They knew who could only do this sort of ‘stunt’. To his presence, anyone near him willingly backed off and he steadily made his approach more apparent. The route to TianXing was opened, served to him on a red carpet.
However, while everyone, even Mr Tai, stood frightened, some were near hyperventilating, TianXing gave him creased eyebrows. Now, he was in front of her, staring down with his tall stature. It was a silent hall but TianXing spoke first.
“What does the Third Young Master of the White Clan need of this humble citizen?” She bowed, knees bent with her fabulous dress.
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“Give it up, old hag. Wait a little longer and you’re infertile.”
Certainly this matter of attitude was ridiculous, especially for higher society standards but again, no one dared object.
“Young Ms, if you must, please-”
“Enough, you former waiter!”
A sheer force of anger pushed back Mr Tai to the ground in shock and out of breath.
“That is a very childish claim, Mr Bai. And are you confident with expressing this out to all my respected guests?”
“That does not concern me, Sweetheart. And if you forget, call me by my first name, LuJi.”
“Mr Bai, today is not the place for this nonsense.”
“Then, gladly accept my offer so the celebration may continue as planned.”
TianXing felt her fist clenching. Having experienced his advance for the last seven years, this was his boldest attempt. While she found some joy in this cat and mouse chase of affection, now was definitely not the time. She took a step forward.
But, as she was about to retort back, a loud haughty laugh came from the back.
It was Mr Wen.
Like LuJi, everybody else easily made way for the Wen Elder. Now, he walked a wobbly gait; loud thuds came for every step of his gold-handled cane. He wore a textured black tunic with gold yellow cuffs. Behind him were his lifelong assistant and his trusted retinue. For an outsider, their presence felt like a seasoned gang mob. For LuJi, he was not someone to be taken lightly like the rest. The lean man steadied himself calm.
“Stay out of this, Gramps. It’s between the Lady and I.”
Rising his crooked back, the Wen Elder responded, “We have developed closely, a bond of father and daughter. I feel like I am suited to truly support the Lady’s wishes.”
“Felt,” snorted LuJi, “Don’t think that it will be risky for me to threaten you. It’s just a slight pothole on the road, you hear?”
He rested his palm on the pommel…
A mass of guards swiftly responded, readying to shield the Wen Elder, but he raised his hand against further provocation from his subordinates.
“Thus, would you mind taking a step back, Gramps?”
LuJi reached out for TianXing’s arm, pulling her close.
“A barking 5-legged dog, wild and rushing with fiery blood, on a young summer’s day,” squinted the Wen Elder’s eyes, “That’s who you are now.”
“Having 4 sons and 11 daughters ain’t gonna validate that compliment, Elder Wen.”
“...”
“Let’s get going, darling.”
Still doing her best to let loose his grip, TianXing tried persuading him again.
“Mr Bai, no matter how much you pressure me, I would never give my answer. This relationship needs to be settled in a time for the future!”
Her feet slid across the glassy floor, resisting his pull towards the doorway.
“Enough, Mr Bai! I said to stop this. Hands off me!”
“No.” assured his dominating voice.
‘Damn these bastard martial clans!’
“I-I also have some long awaited guests arriving very soon, to which we arranged for them to appear later on in the feast. I cannot let them be greeted by such comedy!”
“Whoever they are, it does not matter to the Great White Clan. So remain silent.”
She clicked her tongue in disgust.
LuJi was approaching closer towards the entrance.
However, unbeknownst to all of them, those guests were already standing on the other side, and were about to enter the hall room with the slightly troubled guidance of the waiters.
The double doors then swung open in grand spectacle, and waves of distinctly scented perfumes poured their way in.
Apart from a select few that knew of their invitation, including Mr Tai and the Wen Elder, the whole crowd gasped in shock. Not by who they were or what they were but the fact that the young Lady already had established her connections so early in her company’s growth and she made the decision to reveal this at the premiere.
LuJi, who was unyielding with his abuse of status over others below or equal to his class, never expected this outcome from the Lady he forcibly held in hand. Despite his bursting ego, even he was wise to know when to restrict his behavior. And now was potentially the best time; so much so that he released his grip on TianXing in a reflex. And after a subtle massage of her arm, she ran up to the entering company in all her hospitality.
It was a group of 11 gentlemen, composed of individuals of diverse professions and positions, all under a single coat of arms.
“Hamilton! Ferase!” the Lady addressed, her fist and palm joined into a greeting salute, “It truly is a pleasure to meet all of you in person. I reckon this is our first interaction where we see one another face to face, rather than through heaps of paper and ink?”
Hearing her well articulated words, the gentlemen were surprised, and one of the men whom she addressed to, a wrinkly round-faced man whose gray hair remained only at the lower edges and had a bushy beard that parted into two ends, exchanged his words.
“Lady Xu, firstly, may I wholeheartedly say that you look fascinatingly stunning in this ceremonial womenswear of yours? I am so glad to finally make witness of the lady with such artistically impressive handwriting. Secondly, I apologize if we intrude on any pressing matters you had at hand earlier. I was, and so were Master Hamilton, thrilled for this gathering.” came the deep voice of 58 year old Ferase Edelane. Standing at the front of his entourage, dressed smartly with bleach breeches, a short-skirted brown waistcoat, layers of sharp protruding neck collars touching his coarse jaw and a heavily starched multi knotted cascading cravat, and a red-brown leather tailcoat, he extended his bony gloved hand out for a polite gesture of appreciation. “Aren’t my words of any falsehood?” he idly inquired as his hazel eyes met with the man behind him, standing at the center of the group. To which, he sneered.
The man was of a well-toned, tall stature, easily towering over his chief attendant Ferase, and sported a more modern fashion of menswear, including: high waist ash gray loose trousers, a deep front-opened dark navy blue cut-away coat which exposed his copper coloured waistcoat, an inner layer frilled white shirt with a white bow tie stock and folded down collars, and a light cream unbuttoned cape-sleeved ulster longcoat. Removing his black top hat, revealing flowy shoulder-length curly blonde hair, he greeted the Lady with a flowery bow. He displayed a face of benevolent playfulness. It was a long oval, ending below at a squared chiseled jawline. His lips were pale red; his nose had a low upturn and the eyebrows were low and thicker.
His icy-blue piercing eyes soon locked with hers as he introduced himself, being the other to whom she called out for.
“Dear Ferase has already taken the words right out of my mouth…Lady Xu, I pray for a fruitful relationship going forward.” The Hamilton Claure von Kiefrurpez smiled.
“Likewise, Hamilton, Ferase.”
“Anyhow, my Lady, apart from our introductory, and as the representative of my House, let me take you through all our subordinates.”
“Such inconvenience, Master Hamilton, I will do the favours.”
“There’s no reason not to, Ferase. Especially with our first foreign Xie partner, Grandmother would be proud if I was more at the forefront. And since we are on topic, let it be known that I will be doing the dealings with the Lady, do you understand me? After all, Grandmother did grant me this position in hopes to prepare me for the role of Patriarch. I respect her choices.”
“...You have grown wiser, Master Hamilton.”
“Haha, surely you jest, Ferase!” Hamilton then faced TianXing. “After you, Lady Xu.”
“I gladly accept.”
---
For the next several minutes, the onlooking crowd, who were stunned at first, began to lax off their alert, spreading about into their different groups with their own agendas to accomplish for this higher class assembly. Others took the chance to feast upon the food and drink available, enjoying the free service they were invited for. The sight of men from a foreign land conversing naturally with a multilingual local only attracted short glances of the crowd at random intervals. Many did not understand what they said, as they themselves hired translators for communication, while a knowledgeable few could make out key phrases of dialogue, coming to a conclusion that it was only salutations and friendly chatter; since revealing too much about actual business activity publicly will not be as beneficial to White Ink. However, amidst this scene, there remained some foreboding pressure emitting from LuJi a short distance away at a table. His expression was ever dark, gripping tightly to the body of his scabbard.
Fortunately for him, a while later, he saw TianXing part ways with the foreigners as they made way for the food stands; the others kept to themselves from afar, wherever the men went.
Using this opportunity, LuJi sped his way towards TianXing before anybody else could, which took her and Mr Tai by shock but not surprise. Ultimately, Mr Tai promptly left the duo to deal with themselves without any command. Even a former head waiter has limits to how much he can talk his way through young masters of powerful clans.
For the Wen Elder, who seemingly laid low of his presence, continued to observe the Lady at her work.
“Things will get heated very soon.” The Wen Elder informed his attendant, “Remain on standby to assist if necessary.”
Giving him a questionable look, the Elder replied, “It's just an old man’s instinct.”
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.
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“What is it now, Mr Bai?”
“I’ve heard your English was superb from multiple sources but I never thought it would’ve been this seamless. And the accent was cute, to say the least.”
“I am not of the age to be called that. Well, Fei and HaMi have also commented on similar things moments before…Is this natural to all males’ subconscious?”
‘Are those her Mandarin labels for those people?’ LuJi fumed internally.
“It’s like how women of all ages swam to me whenever I took a stroll to the markets and brothels. Although, truthfully, all of them are fleeting pebbles by the riverside. You, on the other hand, are a gemstone swept away by the raging current. But because you shine so bright, locating it is just as easy. But getting you out of it…” He looked onwards to the jolly men of foreign origin, munching away on flavored cakes and varied meat by hand. “...and keeping it for myself is the struggle of my life so far.”
“Even greater than your martial mastery?-”
“Even greater than my martial mastery. So, would you accept? As a side condition, I will ensure monthly funds to White Ink and get rid off-”
“My ears burn from hearing your daily offers, Mr Bai. But, I do tolerate this more than what you did earlier today.”
“And I nearly got away with it, if not for these…lowly barbarians interrupting my plan.”
He then got up close to her ear, whispering, “I have my sights on you for 10 years. 10 years, TianXing. Why won’t you already recognise my efforts?”
“I’ll say this again. Now’s not the time, Mr Bai.”
She backed away a little.
“...Well, that’s just unfair. Playing the long march with me.” His eyes were like that of a red crowned crane targeting its prey.
“I-”
“Excuse me!” a reprimanding voice sounded from the side. At the corner of her eyes, she saw Hamiton running up towards them. Brows frowned. “Just what are you doing to Lady Xu? Aren’t you blind of your sight to see her evident hesitation?”
Behind him, Ferase and the others followed suit. Meanwhile, the Wen Elder’s men resided close to LuJi, situated on the opposing side of the hall.
‘I knew it. Poor girl is now in the middle of all this…rising hostility.’ came his thoughts amongst the gazing onlookers.
And at that moment, LuJi had it.
A surging release of pressuring faint blue aura fell onto the entire celebration hall like a broken dam. Those defenseless guests felt as though the ground was trembling; all of them immediately rushed to the other end of the room, away from the entrance. However, no furniture was overturned. With that initial wave, LuJi swiftly grabbed TianXing by the chest and into his left arm, brandishing his pristine, shimmering blade straight into the line of sight of Hamilton’s neck with his dominant hand.
But, he was unfazed by this provocation, and impulsively brought out a pistol of a relatively large caliber for a handgun from a hidden holster the second Hamilton saw the sword drawn, aimed dead center for LuJi’s forehead.
Their eyes met and glared.
On both sides, the Elder’s guards flourished their Jian swords without a delay and a mixture of guns, staves and canes were called upon by the gentlemen. Ferase summoned a cane from his glove and stamped it onto the hard floor. It was polished Hazel with a sapphire gemstone encrusted at the gold top.
Overall, the explosion of raging aura never shook the combatants’ stances. With hairs on edge, they readied themselves for the outcome.
Turning her head from side to side, panic quickly swallowed the Lady whole, who never expected such a dramatic steep in chaos.
“Barbarian! You have no right to interrupt our conversation. Leave this premise immediately!” LuJi ordered. His voice reverberated throughout with fury, augmented by aura.
“Lady Xu, demand this man to lower his sword! This squabble will not be worth all our lives!”
Hamilton’s face darkened, building up with sweat on his wrist.
‘How…!”
And with all these strained tensions, TianXing rushed herself in between LuJi’s and Hamilton’s line of fire. Arms spread out for the both of them to be seen. Her back faced the confused Hamilton.
“Mr Bai, any more and this could mean the spark of war! So please, I beg of you…Put away your damn sword!”
“Dear, are you favoring them more than me?”
“This is outrageous…”
She breathed heavily, her voice was exasperated.
The hall fell silent and everyone was still frozen in their positions. If there was a person to stop this escalation, it should certainly be her.
“Mr Bai, please leave.”
“What…Wait, TianXing-”
“PLEASE LEAVE, MR BAI! LEAVE THIS VERY INSTANT! I PLEAD TO YOU! AGAIN!”
She screamed her lungs out for his large ego to hear.
The call for a loss for another day.
“I-I will address your proposal at a later time, Mr Bai. I…still need…more strength so please, don’t make my efforts go to waste. Can you not be this heartless?!”
“...”
Silence.
All she needed now was a response and after several moments of hair-raising anticipation, LuJi finally lowered his blade of white. And as soon as his deed was done, Hamilton and the rest dearmed themselves as well, bringing a close to today’s advances by Bai LuJi.
The blade swinged in quick, circular motions before returning smoothly into the scabbard.
Suddenly, a torrential current of summer gales blew through the pushed windows of the hall and out of the double doored entrance. Table cloths flew and clothes fluttered high above. Hamilton stood strong against it with the ends of his coats rising grandly above his hips. As for TianXing, she helplessly took the blunt against such gales with her wide, long sleeves.
“I will not give in.” was his last whispers to their episodic drama, before he vanished from sight.
In the next second, he was nowhere to be found near the scene.
“He must have made his exit. How are you feeling, Lady Xu?” Hamilton reassured her.
“Is-ehrm-Is our partnership still strong, Hamilton?” she replied while tidying her messed up hair.
Her voice felt lethargic.
In response, Hamilton smirked before he reached out for a handshake with a bright smile.
“It still is.”
To which she grabbed a firm hold of it in relief.
There were a lot of things she planned to do with their help.