A Song to Drown Rivers

There is a knock at the door early in the morning, and Xishi’s mother is cautious when she finds a handsome stranger of high status asking to come in. It is Fanli, political and military advisor to King Goujian of Yue. Xishi recognizes him as the man who saved her the day before. Everyone in Yue has heard of him and his reputation is for being incorruptible, pure, and intelligent. He is looking for Xishi, and over tea he tells the family that King Goujian is looking for a woman of unmatched beauty to be a tribute bride for King Fuchai of the Wu Kingdom. While there, she would act as a spy and pass information about the Wu to the Yue. Xishi is horrified at the idea but listens as he describes the danger of the job and the intensive training she would receive. There would be a second tribute from the village who has already agreed to go as a palace lady. He tells Xishi that if she is successful, she will save the Yue kingdom and alter history. He assures her that her parents will be well taken care of, but she must charm the king and win his trust. She realizes that Fanli is the first person who actually needs her rather than wants her. She thinks of all the suffering she sees around her, including her sister’s death, all caused by the Wu, and decides to go. She is sad to leave her family but thrilled to learn that the other young woman Fanli mentioned is her best friend Zhengdan. Zhengdan is expected to marry soon, but she would much rather become a spy and fight for her kingdom. Xishi reflects on her friend’s fierce nature and skill in fighting despite not being allowed to train formally. During the initial war against the Wu, she tried to fight in place of her father and was devastated when she received news of his death at the hands of General Ma. This finalizes Xishi’s decision. She walks around at night taking in the house and watching her parents sleep, already looking toward the day ahead.

Xishi meets Fanli and Zhengdan by the river and ensures good treatment of her parents before they leave. Fanli again promises her that the Yue will remember her and her sacrifice. They ride through the night to a cottage where King Goujian is waiting, disguised in plain clothes. His attitude is hard and dismissive of the women. When he finally looks at Xishi, he comments that she is indeed beautiful enough to trap Fuchai. When she replies to his question about the Wu with hatred in her voice, he says to Fanli that she will be perfect. A guard named Luyi takes them to their quarters and asks what they think of the king, encouraging them to share confidence. He warns them not to mention Goujian’s defeat at the hands of Fuchai and notes that Fanli is rarely in an agreeable mood. Xishi feels homesick and misses her parents but is quickly distracted as they go to the dining room. The food is beautiful, but Fanli admonishes them for their table etiquette: They are doing everything wrong, and such mistakes will get them killed at court. They work until they understand the basics, and Fanli reminds them that they will be watched at all times.

Fanli says that Xishi’s emotions are too visible on her face. To her embarrassment, he notes that he can even tell when she is thinking of him. To be a good spy, she will need to change this habit. When she tries to smile against her feelings, Fanli laughs for the first time she remembers. He tells her that her body is a weapon she must control. Zhengdan is excited as Fanli noticed her hands and could tell immediately that she has been training with a sword. Rather than scold her, he decides to instruct her properly. That night, Xishi has her usual nightmare of her sister’s death where they attempt to hide in the closet while the Wu ravage their house. Susu panics and runs out only to be cut down by a solider. Xishi wakes up in a panic with a peaceful Zhengdan next to her. Xishi renews her vow of revenge.

Xishi and Fanli meet daily by the lotus pond. His clothes make him look like both a god of war and a poet. He and the guard Luyi talk about assassins wanting to kill the women. Fanli gives Xishi a guqin, a long, flat, stringed instrument. Fanli plays while he asks what the sounds remind her of. Xishi recounts poetic images of nature, impressing Fanli. When she says, “happiness for somebody you cannot have” (56), he pauses and looks at her. When he puts his arms around her to demonstrate how to play, she is glad he can’t see her face. She insists on practicing until her fingers are bloody, wanting to prove that she is more than a pretty face. They settle into a routine of training. In the morning, the women practice music, dance, etiquette, and mealtime rituals. In the afternoon they learn poetry, politics, and history. Fanli mentions a man named Wu Zixu, who is the advisor to King Fuchai. He is suspected of using Wu politics to exact revenge on the Chu, who executed his father. He is the person Xishi will need to be most wary of. That night Zhengdan wonders out loud if Fanli has a lover or if he will devote his entire self to the kingdom. She says he is too selfless to take a lover and be happy. This in turn makes Xishi unhappy.