Chapter 126: My Jiaojiao

After tribute Ding stayed lively. Streets flourished welcoming Qin and Liang guests. Ming Qi's throne always wanted to look rich before foreign eyes.
In Shen Residence, Autumn Water Court servants discussed new gossip.
"What is that new girl—why does third madam treat her so well?"
"This year's new tea—brewed for her first. Is she family nobility?"
An old woman in blue whispered: "Her father once saved the old general on the field—took a blade—nearly died…"
A young maid covered her mouth. "No wonder—debt to the general is debt to Shen house—guest of honor."
"Said she's seeking refuge—family trouble—third madam will care for her well."
"Care—our own people are tight—another mouth to feed—send her off early."
Silence. Surface looked fine—inside all knew—since first branch split, silver was thin—even servants' pay cut. Great guest eating free—servants disliked.
"Third madam is harsh with us—why so generous to that girl?" someone wondered.
In Autumn Water Court Chen Ruoqiu sat, pushing tea to the woman opposite. "New tea—Emerald Tip—Miss Qing, taste."
The woman wore plain emerald brocade—no fine embroidery—simple cut, color hard to wear—yet on her it was comfortable, pleasing at a glance.
About twenty-something—simple dress and hair—gentle, soft—and strong scholarly air—well-bred family daughter—excellent manners.
Chen Ruoqiu disdained martial men's tastes—yet this woman stirred fellow-feeling—more courtesy.
The woman did not refuse—sipped, smiled. "Light yet fragrant—leaves scattered, aroma thick—Madam brews excellently."
"Miss Qing knows tea too." Chen smiled deeper. "Tea is best—few young girls understand it now."
"Fresh breeze under both arms—I would ascend to Penglai." The woman smiled. "Madam is right. But don't tease—I am twenty-six—hardly a young girl."
"Twenty-six?" Chen cried. "You look eighteen or nineteen. Better—face of youth, bearing of maturity—open composure—rare."
This emerald-clad woman was yesterday's "beggar"—Chang Zaiqing. Her father Chang Hu had been Old General Shen's man—blocked a blade for him—ruined his health—never fought again. Chang Hu's family lived on him alone. Old General Shen felt guilt and sent private silver. Zaiqing was young then; Shen Xin neared marriage age—the old general even joked he'd take Zaiqing as daughter-in-law. He died before the wedding. Secret aid meant no public tie—after that Chang and Shen had no contact.
Now Chang came knocking.
Worry flashed in Zaiqing's eyes. "This sudden visit shames me—trouble for Shen house…" She looked at Chen. "I know it's abrupt—if inconvenient I'll leave—never burden you." Yet when she lowered eyes her lips bit tight.
Chen took her hand warmly. "What talk is that—your father saved my father-in-law—Chang family are Shen benefactors. Old general and your father were brothers in blood—we are one family. One family cannot stand by when you suffer." She patted Zaiqing's hand. "Stay in our house. Tomorrow I take you to Old Madam—lately she's unwell, temper poor—you must bear with her."
Zaiqing demurred politely. Natural, courteous—not coy, not familiar—easy to like. Even cautious Chen chatted happily.
Chang family lived in Liuzhou. They came because of trouble. Chang Hu died years ago—only Zaiqing and her mother remained—mother ill long—died recently. After burial a Liuzhou official's son wanted Zaiqing as concubine—cornered—she nearly hanged—saved by nurse. Nurse said perhaps Old General Shen's house could help once.
Zaiqing remembered the old general—bold, generous—no other path—scraped travel money to Ding. At the gate she met Chen—Chen heard the story and housed her.
Chen smiled. "You come from Liuzhou water country—Ding is different—food may not suit. Is West Court comfortable?"
"Madam is kind." Zaiqing answered. "Care is thorough. West Court is thoughtful. But…" puzzled: "Such a large yard—usually empty?" then laughed at her boldness. "Forgive rudeness."
"I treat you as family—no blame." Chen smiled. "No hiding—we have three branches. Great General Shen—you've heard—is our first branch. Two years ago misunderstanding—first branch moved out. We wanted to explain—they were in Xiaochun—just returned. We wish to mend—gulf is deep." She looked helpless, shook head. "Don't know how."
Zaiqing paused. "So West Court…"
"Was first branch's home." Chen said.
Zaiqing understood—saw Chen's sadness—comforted: "Blood is thick—misunderstanding can clear—family is family. In time General Shen himself will see it's small."
Chen smiled. "I know—your words comfort me." She looked at Zaiqing. "If everyone in Shen house were so clear. You understand so much—when free, teach Yue girl. We spoiled her—needs someone clever like you."
"Madam flatters." Zaiqing smiled. "Yue is learned, bright—I never saw such a girl in Liuzhou. Top of Ding, I'd say. Women should be learned—that gives special light."
The praise warmed Chen deeply. Talk grew warmer until near noon she let Zaiqing go.
After Zaiqing left, Shiqing wiped the table carefully. "Madam—truly keep Miss Qing?" Hesitant. "Expenses grow—Old Madam will be angry."
Old Madam grew stingy—another idle mouth would enrage her—so Chen had warned Zaiqing of bad temper.
"That shallow-eyed hag knows nothing—fails at every turn—cannot see ahead."
"Does Madam think Miss Qing useful?" Huayi was sharp, knew her mistress. Two years ago Chen played charitable for fame—now without silver, self-care hard—feeding others looked odd.
"Speech has depth—not shallow—looks fair, face mild, temper gentle—rare wisdom—in any house a leading role. Without ambition, fine—once ambition stirs—within five years she will achieve something." Chen smiled. Her upbringing was women's schemes daily—her mother was master—she saw her mother's shadow in Zaiqing—younger—perhaps greater later.
"What can such a person do?" Huayi puzzled. "Kindness for future return when she rises?"
Chen laughed. "So clever—active mind—outwardly meek, inwardly proud—won't serve under others long. If she climbs high—don't expect gratitude—she looks down on benefactors."
"Then Madam…"
"Such a person—I won't give to others." Chen looked out the window. "Fat water doesn't flow to outsiders—good blade on sharp edge. But… someone so fierce—even I may not win many rounds—wonder if that one… can hold a few?"
Zaiqing returned to West Court. Once Shen Xin's home—it was hollow now. Many servants before—Shen Xin brought guards to drill—noisy. After they left Chen dismissed servants to save coin—no daily drills—vast yard emptier and colder.
Nurse Zhao met her, took her cloak, worried. "Miss—how with Third Madam Shen today?"
Coming to Ding was Zhao's idea—no other road left. Years without contact—hearts change—old general helped—he was gone—who knew how Shen would treat Miss Qing?
Zaiqing rubbed her temples, sat on the couch. "Third Madam Shen was warm—agreed we may stay. Those people in Ding won't dare touch Shen house now."
Zhao exhaled. "Amitabha—Master always said Shen people were bodhisattvas—I feared they would refuse—now we can rest."
"Madam worries too much." Zaiqing laughed coldly, contempt showing. "When was lunch ever free? Old general helped because Father took his blade. No kindness without price. Third Madam's warmth—she sees use in me."
Zhao startled. "Madam not good—what then?"
"Rest easy." Zaiqing comforted, eyes cold. "She wants from me—I need from her. I don't know her game yet—but I'll find a way."
"But…" Zhao still uneasy.
"Don't fear." Zaiqing smiled. "We've passed harder—now a path opens—what is there to fear? Shen house is a stepping stone—we use it well. She uses me—I use her."
Zhao looked at her, nodded at last. "This old servant only wants Miss well—Miss says, I obey."
……
Ding was capital—land worth gold. Dearest ground besides palace was Yanqing Lane—south city, near wine shops and stores, river view. Price rose from past nobles dwelling—and a famous immortal once read geomancy here: extremely noble, dragon qi—only heaven's kin could suppress it—only supreme under heaven might live there.
Ming Qi palace was not south—could not rebuild there—people would murmur—treasury could not afford it. Who dared live on dragon ground—would emperor see disrespect? Bold men lacked silver—Yanqing Lane stayed empty ornament for years.
Now guests from Qin and Liang moved in—crown prince and prince—true imperial blood. Silver unlimited—no fitter place. They could not live in palace—or Wenhui would never sleep easy—foreigners in his halls—who rests easy with another snoring beside the bed?
At lane's innermost mansion soldiers stood guard. Palace-like luxury—vast—several minister mansions together might match its size.
Prince Rui lived here. Several mansions in the lane—Qin crown prince took outermost—innermost went to Rui—perhaps distance from Qin deliberate. This was dearest in the lane—twice Qin prince's price—Rui booked without blink—rumor that Liang treasury overflowed with gold seemed true.
Rui was arrogant day one—removed old plaque—hung golden board: Prince Rui Manor. Angry and amused—did he mean to settle in Ming Qi?
In one courtyard something white flopped on the ground.
"Light thing—too fierce. So small yet savage—why did Master keep it?" A woman in yellow crouched with a stick teasing a white fur ball. Up close—fluffy as a doll—clear eyes turning clever—claws scratched her hand—new teeth bit. A cub—not long born—pale fur, markings faint—from afar like snow white tiger—pitiable.
She hissed, dropped the stick, angry. "Looks tame—still bites. That hurt—wait till I tear you!"
"Let it be." Another voice—woman in pale red, more alluring. "Master brought it himself. Nightingale—you move it before Master tears you."
Nightingale stood—the cub grabbed her skirt hem, bit, dragged. She kicked it off, joined Huolong. "Master's mad? Why keep a tiger? Cute but cruel—what if it hurts someone later?"
Huolong shrugged. "Sudden whim. Since brought back—eat sleep sleep eat—only days open eyes and already bites."
"If Master leads a big tiger home someday His Majesty will headache." Nightingale grimaced.
"Slacking!" A man's shout—both turned—a middle-aged man strode over. He checked the cage bowl, displeased at them. "Feeding orders—and you laze!"
"Tieyi!" Nightingale raged. "We left the tower prison thinking good duty with Master—instead feeding tigers. We're Mo Yu army—not wet nurses—why spend all day teasing tigers?"
"Do what Master orders—don't ask so much." Tieyi knelt, fed the white tiger—cooked meat minced with egg. The cub sniffed and ate happily. Tieyi stroked its head—rough man and small beast oddly gentle.
Tiger ate half and stopped. Tieyi collected the bowl—Huolong and Nightingale bowed behind him: "Master."
Xie Jingxing waved them out of the room. Behind him—Ji Yushu and Gao Yang.
Ji Yushu saw the cub, eyes bulged. "What's that? A dog?"
Tieyi flinched. Gao Yang: "Are you stupid—it's a cub."
Tieyi said stiffly: "Young Master Ji, Lord Gao—it's a white tiger." The cub did not understand human speech—fed and full—it chased its tail in sun like a cat.
"Tiger?" Ji Yushu looked at Xie Jingxing. "Third Brother—are you well? Now you keep tigers?"
Nightingale said crisp: "Young Master—Master saved this cub on the road to Ding—a hunter wanted its pelt for gold."
Gao Yang side-eyed him. "Since when are you so kind? Not like you."
He ignored them—dark purple brocade with gold vine—splendid as ever—face outshone robes. He strolled to the white cub—it saw a newcomer—leaped, claws out, bit!
Someone lifted it by scruff.
Xie Jingxing held the cub midair—it kicked uncomfortable—he studied it thoughtfully.
Nightingale mimed cutting throat to Huolong. Huolong shivered, shook head.
He looked a moment, parted the cub's legs, laughed. "A female."
Everyone: "…"
So what—would he make it Princess Rui in Liang?
The cub "awoo"—soft from youth. He set it on his chest, gathered in arms. It lay on him, head up, "awoo awoo"—like coaxing—pitiable and sweet.
He tugged its whiskers. Nightingale cried: "Master—no! White tigers hate whiskers touched—they bite!"
It bit his finger. Huolong and Tieyi jumped. Ji Yushu covered his mouth in mock horror. Gao Yang looked pleased.
Xie Jingxing met the cub's eyes calmly. After a while the cub seemed guilty—released—looked away. A shallow tooth mark showed on his finger.
"Eyes alike—temper alike. Same habit of biting too." He stroked the cub's head without anger.
The cub yawned, stretched, did not struggle—let him rub its head and nap on his chest.
Golden sun lazy. Purple-robed man beautiful and handsome—long lashes curved—could not hide tender gaze on the beast. Fur exquisite—obedient on his chest—man and tiger like a painting—unlike Tieyi feeding moments before.
He raised a brow at the drowsy cub. "Needs a name. So alike—call you Jiaojiao from now on."
Ji Yushu clapped. "What name is that? Third Brother—a she-tiger with such a delicate name? Weird!" He protested: "Change it—Tiger King, Iron Hammer, Biao Brother!"
Gao Yang hid behind his fan, unable to watch.
Xie Jingxing glanced at Ji Yushu, scratched the cub's chin slowly. "Quiet. This is my Jiaojiao."