Chapter Eleven: The Trap

Chunhua and the Two-person Gang were half drunk, making a row. Kaiming was pushed and shoved by them, yet her eyes were fixed only on the soldier who had brought her here.

“Let me introduce myself first: I’m Subaru, and this is Bi,” Subaru pointed at the soldier beside him and smiled. “As for Akuang, no introduction necessary.”

Kaiming forced a slightly awkward smile. Akuang snorted and turned away.

Hearing these names, Kaiming suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if someone had mentioned them before. “Wei...?” she murmured under her breath.

Subaru picked up, “Names from the Three Mansions.” Kaiming looked up at him, surprised. “When the Yearly Yin is at midday and Jupiter is in the You position, 'Subaru'—the mansions rise at dawn together, hence the name 'Kaiming'.”

Kaiming was astonished; these were words Xuan had spoken to her before she left. He’d also said that when Kaiming rose, war would come to an end. She hadn’t paid much attention then, but now, hearing Subaru say them, she felt something quite different.

“Interesting, isn’t it? The three of us all bear star mansion names—fittingly corresponding to yours,” Subaru said with a light laugh. “Perhaps it’s fate that brought us together!”

Kaiming snorted, “Aren’t star mansion names common among your people?”

“There are indeed many,” Subaru laughed heartily. “Come, come, let’s drink.”

With a few cups down, the awkwardness faded, and conversation became easier.

“So, which country are we, the trained soldiers, supposed to fight?” someone asked.

“The other four palaces. But the current Palace Emperor is benevolent; the odds of war breaking out are slim.”

Kaiming thought for a moment. “Isn’t it the soldiers’ duty to ensure the Palace Emperor’s safety?”

“Only the elite, handpicked by the Lord Commander, get the honor of serving by the Emperor’s side,” Subaru said with a sly smile. “You don’t stand a chance, not after insulting the Commander. Think you’ll see any good days ahead?”

“You’ve got it backward! Who insulted whom? Honestly!” Kaiming grumbled, downing another cup.

“To be honest, you’re the most interesting female soldier I’ve ever met,” Subaru chuckled. “I’ve never seen anyone as bold as you—daring to pin the Lord Commander to the ground in front of everyone...”

Kaiming glared, and Subaru wisely cut himself off, only grinning.

Chunhua was already slumped over the Two-person Gang, eyes shut in drunken stupor. Kaiming felt a wave of dizziness and wondered why she was so easily affected by drink tonight—she’d once downed several jugs with Chunhua and felt nothing.

As her head swam, Subaru’s voice drifted in and out, his lips moving but the words indistinct. The figures before her seemed to blur like ink paintings soaked in water, dissolving, fading, until they disappeared entirely.

A small hand seemed to touch her face—her precious child, babbling, toddled toward her, calling, “Mama! Mama!” But the closer the child ran, the further away she seemed. Suddenly, the face became Xuan’s, melancholy, arms spread wide as he hugged her tight: “Come back alive!”

A chill struck her. She woke with a start, eyes snapping open to see a face she couldn’t immediately place. Wasn’t this the Lord Commander’s face? Was she still dreaming?

Not only the Lord Commander; there were several other familiar male faces—had she not just been drinking with them and then blacked out?

She instinctively reached for her cheek. Something wet was running down her face. Water. Understanding dawned on her, and cold sweat broke out all over.

“Awake?” the Commander stood at the doorway, gazing at her coldly.

She quickly turned to see Chunhua and the two other women, also soaked and blinking as they came to. They’d been had! No wonder the sudden friendliness; no wonder they’d gotten drunk so easily! Kaiming glared furiously at the grinning soldiers.

“Do you know what punishment awaits a soldier caught drinking?” The Commander kicked the stool by the door and roared, “Back to camp, at once!”

Kaiming twisted Chunhua’s arm. Chunhua leapt up like a startled rabbit, clutching her head, and the Three bolted outside.

“Sir, why are you here?” Kaiming asked as she passed the Commander, eyes glancing over his shoulder to Subaru. “Who tipped you off?”

“That’s not important. What matters is you all broke military law,” the Commander replied icily.

Subaru’s eyes were unreadable, a faint smile on his lips. The soldiers by his side, however, whistled and jeered.

Their punishment for this midnight drinking spree was harsh: the next day, they practiced bayonet drills and forms without pause, food, or rest, until dusk fell.

Collapsed on her bunk, Kaiming could barely move, let alone speak.

“We can’t just let them off so easily,” Chunhua grumbled.

The Two-person Gang chimed in, “Exactly—we thought they were interested in us, tsk, tsk...” “This is such a disgrace.”

Opposite them, Qiaoqiao lounged by the oil lamp, reading. She snorted, “Look at yourselves—overestimating your charms.”

“What did you say? Careful, or I’ll thrash you!” Chunhua’s shout was cut short by a cracking sound—she’d twisted her waist and howled in pain.

Qiaoqiao only laughed harder. “Serves you right.”

“We’re not letting them off that easily!” Kaiming’s voice was grim. She gripped her bedsheet fiercely—if they didn’t get back at them, she’d regret it.

In the days that followed, the whole camp knew two factions had locked horns. During drills, some male recruit would trip and take a hard fall, or a female soldier would suddenly slip during an obstacle course. In the women’s bathhouse, firecrackers were thrown in; male soldiers found themselves locked in rooms for no reason. The incidents were endless.

The conflict escalated until one night, a male recruit was ambushed, hooded, and beaten. This finally drew the attention of the highest authority. The Lord Commander personally investigated, harshly reprimanded the troublemakers, and thus, for the moment, peace was restored.

On a certain dark, windy night, Kaiming walked alone down a narrow alley. A sudden shout behind her made her jump. Ever since the two factions had declared war, everyone was on edge. She glanced over her shoulder—nothing but silent, shadowy buildings.

Turning back, her nose bumped into something soft. She recoiled, startled, and saw Subaru’s insincere smile.

She sucked in a breath, wary. “What do you want?” Was he planning to attack her now she was alone?

Subaru’s smile was strange. “How can you walk alone at night? Didn’t you hear Liu was attacked here just a few days ago? Aren’t you afraid?”

“If I’ve done nothing wrong, what’s there to fear? I’m not like some people,” Kaiming retorted, glaring at him.

Subaru chuckled, unfazed, and beckoned her. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Go where?” she asked, surprised.

“To drink,” Subaru grinned. “This time, it’s sincere.”

Kaiming shot him a look. “Are you kidding? With things as tense as they are, you think I’d go out with you?”

“No tricks—just the two of us. Ah, my mouth is so dry, just thinking about the wine, mmm!”

“Enough,” Kaiming snapped, gritting her teeth as his words made her mouth water; he knew her weakness too well.

“So, are you coming or not? If not, I’ll go alone. Ah, that aroma!”

“Fine! I’m coming! Who’s afraid of you?” Kaiming stomped her foot.

They slipped out the back gate again. The same young recruit stood guard, eyeing them silently. Having seen Subaru’s tricks before, Kaiming didn’t bother asking.

A fast horse took them to the same tavern as before. They ordered a private room; the dishes hadn’t even arrived before several jugs of wine were brought in.

Subaru broke the seal, poured white wine into a big bowl, and raised it. “A toast to you!” He drained it in one gulp.

“What’s this about?” Kaiming eyed the table, the floor—so much wine. Was this man trying to kill himself?

“I’ve heard you can really hold your liquor, so I want to see for myself,” Subaru said. “Just a contest at the table—no weapons.”

Kaiming snorted and drained her bowl. “Have you not played enough with weapons yourself?”

“To be honest, I don’t want any more trouble. I’m retiring next year,” Subaru said, coughing and glancing at her. “But if no one offends me, I don’t pick fights.”

Kaiming met his gaze coldly. “I’ve never offended you.”

“Your friends are fierce enough,” he laughed, shaking his head. “Of all the women I know, none are like that. If only they used that strength in battle, not against men—how could anyone handle it?”

Kaiming couldn’t help laughing. “Those aren’t my friends. You lot provoked them and dragged me in for nothing.”

“In that case, I owe you an apology.” Subaru poured another bowl, clinked glasses, and drank.

Dishes arrived one after another. The fresh delicacies made her stomach rumble. After so much tasteless camp fare, she couldn’t savor the flavors—she wolfed them down.

The wine loosened their tongues, and soon, the atmosphere was easy and relaxed.

“Drinking with you is a pleasure—so bold!” Subaru said.

Kaiming just laughed.

“You’re Kaiming, aren’t you?”

Kaiming pounded the table with laughter. Subaru was clearly drunk, asking such silly questions.

“I’m telling you, and you have to believe me,” Subaru said, tongue thick, red-eyed, staring at her, “you’re the most beautiful woman in the whole camp.”

Kaiming laughed even harder. Drunken men were adorable. If she was the most beautiful, what did that make Qiaoqiao? Imagining that proud girl’s face if she heard this, she laughed even more.

“I’m not lying. When you train, you’re magnificent—no one else compares,” Subaru insisted, his gaze earnest despite his red eyes.

“Let me tell you a secret—do you believe me?” Kaiming leaned in, lowering her voice.

“I believe you,” Subaru replied, staring wide-eyed.

Kaiming smacked his head, annoyed. “I haven’t told you yet!”

“Go on, then!”

“I’m actually... not from here.” Kaiming’s voice became softer, slower. “I’m a ghost. Do you believe it?”

Subaru stared blankly, his drunken mind slow to process, his expression comical. Kaiming burst out laughing. “Do you?”

Subaru’s brow furrowed; his drunkenness vanished. “I believe you.”

Kaiming spat out her wine in surprise. “You believe me?”

Subaru nodded seriously, for the first time. “I do.”

“Silly, I was kidding! And you believed me!” Kaiming felt unsettled by his gaze, though she couldn’t say why. She quickly changed the subject. “Drink up!”

Subaru suddenly grinned. “You can’t outdrink me.”

“Didn’t you just say I could drink anyone under the table?” Kaiming retorted.

“How about a bet? That’d be more fun.” Subaru tapped the table with a finger. “If you’re not up for it, I won’t force you.”

“Name it.”

“Loser does one thing for the winner.”

“Deal!”

Kaiming stood, flung open the door, and shouted, “Waiter! Waiter!”

Subaru frowned. “What waiter?”

The young attendant was quick to respond, bounding up the stairs with a smile. “Were you calling for me, sir?”

“Bring up a whole crate of wine. This gentleman won’t leave until he’s drunk his fill!” Kaiming shot Subaru a look. He couldn’t help but smile at her words. “Oh, and...” Kaiming leaned in and whispered instructions.

“Understood!” The attendant ran off at once.

“What did you tell him?” Subaru asked when she returned.

“To bring wine.”

“And after that?”

“Ordered a few more dishes.”

“Oh!”

“In a moment, we’ll drink jug for jug—let’s see who falls first!” Kaiming’s eyes sparkled.

Subaru matched her gleam for gleam. “Agreed!”