Page 49 of Silk and Sensibility

“I have concerns that the roads to Hangzhou may not be safe. Lately, there have been reports of pirate activity near Songjiang. The Wōkòu seem to be waiting for an opportunity to attack.”

Grand­mother Jiang blew on her bowl of hot rice porridge. “I appreciate your warning, Captain Bai, but I’ve already talked the matter over with Jiehan and Chunwan. We’ve decided that traveling is a risk we must take. Tai and Xiatian have to go back, and we can’t let them go alone. We’ll be safer as a larger group, especially since Jiehan is bringing his best guards.”

At the mention of guards, Meilin suddenly remembered Begonia lamenting that Tian was leaving for Hangzhou soon. At the time, Meilin had been so distracted that Begonia’s words washed over her without leaving an impression. Hearing Grand­mother Jiang talk about the city where Meilin’s beloved Master Wei was, however, sent the worm of an idea crawling through her mind.

“Grand­mother Jiang, would it be possible for me to join in the journey to Hangzhou?” Meilin asked.

Everyone turned from Captain Bai to her. She gulped. They were probably curious why she was breaking her recent habit of silence during dinner.

“Since you said that traveling in a large group is safer, might I join the group to make it larger?” she added quickly to show that she was serious.

“And how would your presence increase everyone’s safety?” Captain Bai asked with more sharpness than necessary. The almost angry gleam in his eyes caught Meilin by surprise, reminding her of when she thought him the most contrary man in the world.

“I’m not useless,” Meilin said, indignant. “I have arms and legs that let me carry and fetch things. I can do anything Grand­mother Jiang or Uncle Meng asks me to do.”

“I like your eagerness to help, young lady,” Grand­mother Jiang said warmly. “Hangzhou is a beautiful city, the capital of many ancient dynasties. An adventurous girl like yourself ought to see it, as long as your mother gives permission for you to go, of course.”

Success! Meilin was nearly halfway to her goal of reuniting with Master Wei.

“Please?” Meilin looked at her mother, who frowned pensively. She hoped Mama didn’t want to hold her back like Ailin did.

“I assure you that it will be no inconvenience to Jiehan and me to bring her with us, Xiuyun,” Grand­mother Jiang said. For once, Meilin appreciated her pushiness.

Mama answered very deliberately. “If it is not an inconvenience, could I ask you to take Ailin as well? Then she and Meilin can both help.”

Grand­mother Jiang clapped her hands together. “Splendid! I actually have several art-loving friends in Hangzhou that I want Ailin to meet. Great business opportunities await her.”

Ailin turned pale, but Meilin’s excitement grew as she considered the new plan. Not only was she one step closer to reuniting with Master Wei, but Enze was in Hangzhou as well. Meilin mentally praised herself for keeping Enze’s umbrella without Ailin’s knowledge. She would use it to make Ailin face her feelings for Enze and stand up to Shen Lusi.

Going to Hangzhou would change their fates for the better. Meilin just knew it.

我有所念人，隔在遠遠鄉。

我有所感事，結在深深腸。

鄉遠去不得，無日不瞻望。

腸深解不得，無夕不思量。

The one I miss is far, far away.

The sentiments I hold are deeply, deeply buried.

Where she is I cannot go, yet no day

goes by without gazing in her direction.

Sentiments deep I cannot unbury, yet no night

goes by without longing for the past.

—Poem by Bǎi Jūyì, Tang dynasty, transcribed by Fan Enze

Chapter 19

Ailin

Never had Ailin felt so much dread about traveling as when she sat near Meilin’s wardrobe, selecting items to bring on their trip. The fact that Enze was in Hangzhou weighed heavily on her mind.