In the pitch-black sky, brilliant stars illuminated the sleeping earth, like countless indifferent eyes silently gazing down on the trajectory of human fate. In the 466th year of the Bai Cang calendar, at the beginning of winter, with snow blanketing the land, the imperial capital of Zhenhuan, having just celebrated the Lantern Festival, welcomed its first crisis after the festivities.
Frost enveloped the entire city of Zhenhuan. The carriages and lanterns between the Council of Elders and Sheng Jin Palace continued without pause through the night, flowing past like a stream. The Huangtian forces on the Western expedition had suffered the most severe defeat and casualties in history. The scent of blood flowed down from the frozen waters of the Ganges on the Yunji Plateau, spreading throughout the entire Great Xia Dynasty, and reaching the heart of the empire. The commoners’ provocation had angered the empire’s upper aristocracy. The iron authority had been questioned and violated. Another war was brewing amid low, heavy breathing. Before that, however, someone had to pay the bloody price for this failure, even if it was only to maintain the empire’s dignity.
The golden imperial edict was issued from Sheng Jin Palace, passed through the judgment of the Council of Elders, and then through Ziwei Square, Jiuwan Main Street, Chengtian Sacrifice Platform, and Qiankun Main Gate, before being dispatched to the border. On this quiet eve of impending storms, the people of Zhenhuan City were still sleeping peacefully.
“Sister Yue’er.”
Little Eight was about to call out when Chu Qiao covered his mouth with her hand. The girl’s eyes were bright as she looked around, then took out a brocade pouch from her bosom and handed it to Little Eight. Lowering her voice, she said solemnly, “Little Eight, we don’t have much time, so I’ll be brief. If I haven’t come to find you by tomorrow before dinner, escape through the back door of the horse feed yard on the rear mountain. I’ll find an opportunity to divert the guard there tomorrow, and there will be an hour with no one guarding it before dinner. Here’s some money, forged exit documents, and travel passes. Take them with you, don’t wait for me, and leave the city directly.”
“Sister Yue’er?” The child immediately grabbed Chu Qiao’s hand anxiously, saying hurriedly, “What are you going to do? Are you seeking revenge? Little Eight can help you too. I don’t want to leave alone.”
“Listen to me,” Chu Qiao stroked the child’s head and said gravely, “Only the two of us remain in the Jing family. I’m your elder sister, and you must listen to me. As long as someone survives, the Jing family will not perish. If something happens to me, you can still avenge me.”
“Sister Yue’er…”
“Little Eight, listen to me. Once you leave the city, head east. When you reach the Three Yi City at the border of Xia and Tang, wait for me for three days. If I still haven’t arrived, leave on your own. Don’t worry, this is just a precaution. Once I escape, I will catch up with you.”
The child’s eyes turned red as he pressed his lips tightly together. Suddenly, he reached out and hugged Chu Qiao’s waist tightly, choking with emotions as he said, “Sister Yue’er is the most capable. Nothing will happen to you.”
Chu Qiao felt a pang in her heart as she embraced the child’s shoulders and smiled bitterly, “Don’t worry. After this, we’ll leave this place. In the future, no one will ever be able to bully us again.”
Outside the window, the cold moon hung like a hook, and the west wind swept away the snow, creating a desolate scene.
The next day, Chu Qiao got up early as usual to serve Zhuge Yue, only to be told that the Fourth Young Master had left early and was no longer in the residence.
Chu Qiao secretly thought, “Heaven is helping me,” and turned to walk toward the main courtyard. However, just as she reached the Green Elegance Chamber in front of the Pavilion, she was stopped by Zhuge Yue’s guard, Moon Seven. The young guard, not yet fifteen, looked at Chu Qiao with a cold face and said slowly, word by word, “Young Master ordered that Miss Xing’er is not allowed to leave the gate of Qingshan Courtyard.”
Chu Qiao was stunned, not knowing what madness had possessed Zhuge Yue this time. She raised her head with an adorable smile and said, “Brother, I’m not trying to leave the courtyard. I just want to go to the small kitchen to see if the tea delivered yesterday is fresh.” After saying this, she turned and walked toward the direction of the small kitchen.
Moon Seven kept his eyes fixed on her back like a hawk, not missing a moment.
After a short while, Huan’er walked out of the kitchen. Moon Seven frowned, stepped forward, and asked, “Where’s Xing’er?”
“She’s inside, helping everyone sort through the tea.”
Moon Seven frowned, “With her current status, does she still need to do such tasks?”
“Hmph, do you think Xing’er is as snobbish as Jinzhu and Jincui?” The little maid raised her eyebrow, looking at Moon Seven with disdain, and bluntly said, “Snob!”
White clouds floated in the sky. Today was quite a nice day.
Having shaken off Moon Seven, Chu Qiao found a casual excuse to carefully leave Qingshan Courtyard and quickly headed toward the front garden. Fearing discovery, she chose the most secluded paths. Just as she reached the plum forest, a shadow suddenly emerged. The child was startled and frowned as she looked. She saw that the newcomer was young, handsome, and somehow very familiar.
“Don’t be alarmed. I am Feng Mian, Young Master Yan’s page. Today I’ve come specifically to deliver a message from His Highness.”
“Deliver a message?” Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over Feng Mian, and asked, “How did you know to wait for me here?”
Feng Mian smiled proudly, “Our Young Master said that if we couldn’t enter Qingshan Courtyard, I should hide along the most secluded path leading to the outer residence, and I would certainly see you.”
Chu Qiao snorted coldly, saying with sarcasm, “Your Young Master is quite prophetic.”
“Hehe,” the young page revealed a set of pearly white teeth and said, “Our Young Master is indeed very clever.”
“What’s the message? Speak quickly if you have something to say. I still have matters to attend to.”
Feng Mian secretly clicked his tongue, thinking to himself that this little slave girl had character—no wonder both Young Master Yan and Fourth Young Master Zhuge paid much attention to her. He quickly said, “Our Young Master asked me to tell you that he will be returning to Yan Bei early tomorrow morning. He wants to say goodbye to you tonight at the same place as last night.”
“Return to Yan Bei?” Chu Qiao frowned slightly and said, “Isn’t your Young Master a hostage in the capital? Why is he suddenly returning?”
“I don’t know the specific reason, but our Old Lord sent someone to the capital to summon Young Master back. It must be urgent. The Council of Elders has already approved it. Tomorrow morning, we’ll be heading back to Yan Bei.”
Chu Qiao nodded silently and said, “Tell your Young Master that I am a maid and cannot easily leave the residence. Besides, whether he returns to Yan Bei or not has nothing to do with me. My status is low, and I dare not presume. There is no need for a farewell.”
Little Feng Mian chuckled and said, “Our Young Master said that if you want to go, no one can stop you. As for whether it has anything to do with you, that’s not for me to comment on. Miss, you’re busy, so Feng Mian will take his leave.”
The little page disappeared into the plum forest with a mischievous grin. Chu Qiao couldn’t help but secretly sigh at the poor security of the Zhuge residence, allowing a child to come and go freely.
Carefully sneaking all the way, after about half an hour, she finally arrived at the side wing of the front garden—the courtyard of Zhu Shun, the chief steward of the outer estate of the Zhuge residence, which appeared before her without any defenses.
I didn’t update yesterday; I’ve been really busy lately. Today I’ll first offer one update, and will continue later.