Still over a hundred li from Yunzhou, they switched to land travel and stayed the night at the Emperor’s traveling palace.
Yuan Cheng accompanied His Majesty through a game of chess, then returned to his room.
The room was completely dark, but Ming Nian always left a lamp for him. He smelled a faint fragrance at his nose—the kind of rouge and powder Qiu Shuang used. He couldn’t help but feel angry. Out of consideration for her father’s generation, he didn’t clash with her, hoping his cold treatment would make her retreat in the face of difficulty. Did he really have to use harsher tactics?
A light, rippling laugh rang out, and fragrant wind attacked. He waved his sleeve and said in a low voice toward directly ahead, “Randomly borrowing someone’s perfume. You really think you’re a laundry maid, so poor you have to use other people’s rouge.”
The lamp lit up, candlelight flickering. Yuan Cheng squinted and saw Ming Nian lying motionless on the desk, obviously put to sleep by someone. A black-clothed masked person sat in the grand master’s chair against the wall.
The fragrant wind was merely palm wind.
“Just testing Master’s self-control on the young lady’s behalf. If Master had even a little interest in Miss Qiu Shuang, I would tell the young lady to seek another good match.” The tone was completely serious, but the rising inflection at the end revealed the visitor’s goodwill. “Now it appears Master is very reliable.”
“Why did you leave the residence?” Yuan Cheng was very surprised by her arrival, but understood in his heart. “You—could it be you’ve acknowledged her?”
“So what if I have?” The person in black removed the face covering—it was Luo Ying’s honest face, but her expression was like a different person, mischievous and clever. “Originally when Master Uncle brought me down the mountain and told me to work for you, I just found you disagreeable. Indifferent to everything—someone like that, I couldn’t risk my life for. Now it’s different. You have blood and flesh, and I have principles and righteousness. You eliminated the catastrophe of annihilation for my Thunder Gate, so I’ll protect her to repay your kindness.”
Thunder Gate, a very poor sect. Because many disciples had strange personalities and acted freely, they were even considered an evil sect by some. Several years ago they were suppressed by the orthodox sects, but it was actually for their sect’s treasure, the Dragon Roar Heart Method. If Yuan Cheng hadn’t dispatched official soldiers to help, Thunder Gate would have been destroyed. Therefore, the Thunder Gate master voluntarily placed himself under Yuan Cheng’s command, with disciples available for his use. Yi Dan was Luo Ying’s master uncle, Ding Gou counted as her senior brother.
At the same time, Yuan Cheng provided massive financial support, asking Thunder Gate to cultivate shadow forces for him.
When Luo Ying met Yuan Cheng, she felt this person couldn’t share the same heart and persisted in refusing to be used. Yet it wasn’t good to just return and explain to the sect master, so she stayed at Yuan Residence as a seemingly rustic and unsophisticated laundry maid, waiting until the agreed-upon term was completed to finish the task.
Yuan Cheng didn’t force her either.
Who would have expected that after Mo Zi appeared, Luo Ying actively and eagerly sought the duty of caring for her, working as her maid without complaint or regret. Now, she had even left Yuan Residence for her sake, tracking Yuan Cheng down here.
For Thunder Gate disciples to work for someone, acknowledgment was essential. Without acknowledgment, even an elder’s words could likewise be disobeyed. Luo Ying only willing to wash clothes but not accept Yuan Cheng’s orders—Yi Dan had no recourse for this. However, once acknowledged, they gave absolute loyalty.
“You don’t need to repay my kindness either.” Yuan Cheng poured himself a cup of tea. “Up to now, my relationship with your noble sect is limited to cooperation, not a master-subordinate relationship.”
“You know what? I just hate how you are. My master is grateful to you—whatever you assign, he spares no effort. How is that just for your silver? Yet you always have this attitude of silver and goods settled, mutually debt-free coldness.” Luo Ying snatched the tea from Yuan Cheng’s hand. “If it weren’t for Mo Zi, I still wouldn’t know that you’re not actually indifferent to everything. Moreover, the more I look, the more you seem like a stubborn duck refusing to admit defeat.”
“And so?” Yuan Cheng didn’t care how others saw him. Whether his mouth was hard or his heart was hard, he only did what he thought most appropriate. But that mask of hatred, venomous cunning, and treachery—he couldn’t put it on only when facing Mo Zi.
“So I’m happier helping her than helping you. She’s more genuine than you. You getting her is a pity for her.” When Luo Ying spoke of Mo Zi, a certain reverent light flashed in her eyes. “I came to inform you that I’m going to Daqiu with her. To save my master uncle from returning to the residence, not finding me, and having things to say.”
“When you see her, you’d best tell her the truth. She doesn’t like people lying to her, especially those close to her.” Getting her was a pity? Even if it was a pity, he must make do.
“What, afraid I’ll implicate you?” Luo Ying laughed. “She might mistakenly think you placed me as a spy, get angry, and never pay attention to you again. Wouldn’t you be miserable then?”
“When did you leave the residence?” But Yuan Cheng didn’t dwell on it, because he understood her—she wouldn’t believe one-sided words without seeking verification from him herself.
Although Huayi had dispatched inner guards to escort Mo Zi, communication took time and transmitting messages was extremely inconvenient. The most recent news he had was that the ship would soon enter Huazhou Prefecture city.
Huazhou was five hundred li from Yunzhou—three days by the fastest horse.
“I secretly followed her south. Three days ago, she found Whale Gang smugglers to lead her ship to Yuling. By this time they should have already departed. Do you know, the Whale Gang’s former gang leader was the biological father of those three brothers under her command. Their parents died mysteriously, apparently killed by the current gang leader Yu Zhong. That smuggler agreed to Mo Zi’s face, then ran to report—obviously recognized the three brothers’ identities. Coincidentally, Yu Zhong happened to be in Miancheng those days. I naturally notified Senior Brother of this matter. Who knew Senior Brother sent no reply, yet the ship departed. I thought and thought—it’s impossible Senior Brother didn’t tell her. Then there’s only one possibility—knowingly going toward the tiger mountain despite knowing there are tigers. She’s extremely protective of those around her, especially those she calls brothers. I guess she probably has a very bold idea. For example, revenge.” While speaking, Luo Ying observed Yuan Cheng’s expression.
As expected, the icy coldness completely faded, the calm eyes that could always control everything became deep and dark.
That’s more like it. Luo Ying raised her eyebrows. “Alright, I must go. I hope she won’t be schemed against, otherwise even if I rush to Yuling it’ll be useless.”
Yuan Cheng’s pitch-black eyes reflected the pitch-black night outside the door.
“Do you have any words you want me to convey?” Luo Ying turned to ask.
“She will certainly be fine. Miss Luo Ying underestimates her.” The words were very certain, but the tone was heavy.
“Nothing is absolute. I’m not as certain as Master, and I’m still worried about what to do if I can’t find her in Yuling.” Luo Ying shook her head. “Even if we pass through Yuling, who can guarantee things will go smoothly in Daqiu? It’s rare to find someone I acknowledge—I don’t want to be separated by yin and yang just like that. Even if disaster can’t be avoided, facing life and death together is still satisfying. Master, don’t you agree?”
Yuan Cheng watched Luo Ying’s departing figure, suddenly feeling he had clenched his jaw, his brow aching.
“Separated by yin and yang? Facing life and death together?” He looked up, closing his eyes tightly. “Yuan Cheng, oh Yuan Cheng, has your mind now become so easily seen through by others?”
He called out for Huayi.
Huayi appeared outside the door.
“Make a trip for me and see if His Majesty has retired for the night yet.” Thoughts carved into bone, longing gnawing at heart. He had originally thought that with her abilities and his thorough arrangements, even if he couldn’t go himself, she would definitely return safely. However, he had overestimated himself. Already unable to sleep at night, yet still telling himself nothing was wrong—it was as laughable as trying to cover up something obvious. He worried about her, unrelated to her capabilities, purely because of that endless, inexhaustible depth of feeling.
Huayi never questioned him and turned to leave.
“Wait.” He stopped Huayi. “If it were you, would you ask His Majesty for leave before going, act first and report later, or simply deceive heaven and cross the sea?”
“…” Huayi didn’t know where to begin discussing these three choices—completely without rhyme or reason.
“Asking for leave still requires explanations. Leaving a letter after departure would also make the Emperor anxious. Better to use finding someone as an excuse for traveling far—that would work.” Yuan Cheng actually asked and answered himself.
“Where does Master want to go?” At least he grasped that meaning.
“Huayi, have you ever experienced being on the brink of death?” Answering a question with another question, Yuan Cheng spoke slowly. “I have died. The deepest realization was nothing more than four words—cherish what’s before you. This official position has almost reached its end. At worst it’s just losing my official hat. Whether the Emperor vindicates my Yuan clan or not, I don’t care either. Eventually, the truth will be revealed to the world. When that time comes, the innocent will be proven innocent, needing no one else’s words.”
“Master wants to go to Daqiu?” He understood.
“If we cannot be born on the same year, month, and day, then let us die on the same year, month, and day. She went to Daqiu, and Jin Yin is also in Daqiu. If they truly cannot return, how can I be absent?” When did it start that he was willing and happy to give his own life? Honestly speaking, Jin Yin being there was just a convenient addition.
“Master can just say directly you’re going to find Miss Mo Zi.” Huayi suddenly said this.
Yuan Cheng laughed despite himself. “Yes, someone who encounters trouble or causes trouble wherever she goes—I truly cannot let her go in my heart.”
“Huayi believes deceiving heaven and crossing the sea is inappropriate. It’s better to ask His Majesty for leave. Even if Master no longer holds this official position in the future, it should happen naturally, not catch people unprepared.” Huayi’s suggestion was reasonable.
Yuan Cheng stood up and walked outside. “Truly concern causes confusion. What you said is correct. I must explain to His Majesty, otherwise I’ll cut off my own retreat.”
“What reason will Master use to convince His Majesty?” This question was purely personal curiosity.
“Lovesickness.” Once Yuan Cheng decided, his laughter was clear. “How about that?”
“…” Unable to maintain silence is golden. “That—is quite good.”
Yuan Cheng naturally didn’t actually tell the Emperor about lovesickness. He purely started from facts, making the Emperor believe that the mission Xiao Wei and the others were executing, if lacking strong backup support, might very well end in failure despite previous efforts. At the same time, he convinced the Emperor that he himself was the best choice for backup support.
The Emperor’s temperament was gentle, his ears soft. He felt Yuan Cheng spoke very reasonably, even praising him for prioritizing the overall situation, willing to temporarily set aside family vengeance to step forward for Great Zhou.
That night, Yuan Cheng received the Emperor’s decree. On the surface returning to the capital to handle urgent matters at the Central Secretariat, but in reality traveling light with a simple retinue, rushing toward Daqiu. The matter of finding that brothel madam, he hadn’t actually delayed—he handed it to Ming Nian.
Ming Nian lived up to expectations, found the person and safely escorted her back to the capital, from then on becoming capable assistance who could handle matters independently.
Just as Yuan Cheng rushed through the night, Mo Zi’s ship had already entered the final stretch of Yuling’s waterway. The journey had been dangerous but without mishap. They had seen military ships several times from afar—either there were many river vessels so they didn’t particularly notice them, or they shouted a few words which Wu Cheng skillfully evaded.
This day, Mo Zi saw ahead—black and white, two water paths clearly distinct.