Early the next morning, Chu Qiao still decided to leave this place temporarily. Da Xia and Yan Tang were now joined by marriage, with domestic turmoil gradually subsiding. Recently, there were even rumors that the Xia Emperor would soon move back from Yundu to Zhenhuang. Once Da Xia stabilized, they would inevitably attack Yan Bei to maintain the empire’s dignity. For three hundred years, the Da Xia Dynasty had never suffered such a heavy blow. Once this tiger regained its strength, the tremendous fury Yan Bei would face was unimaginable. Before that happened, she had to return to Yan Bei and fight alongside Yan Xun.

But she couldn’t just abandon the Jing family sisters. This was Chu Qiao’s essential principle in dealing with people. Toward enemies, she could be ruthless, and to achieve certain goals, she could employ unscrupulous means when necessary. But toward family and friends, she maintained absolute sincerity and protection. Even though she essentially had no connection to the Jing family, Lin Xi’s help during difficult times, Ji Xiang’s care and support, as well as Jing Yue’er’s small body, all gave her an undeniable sense of responsibility.

A qualified special agent might not have superior technical means, solid military skills, formidable physical qualities, or rich combat experience, but absolutely must have a sense of responsibility. They must maintain high loyalty to their organization, comrades, superiors, and even country, with a full and clear awareness of the responsibilities on their shoulders. Only this way could they maintain strong beliefs and psychological qualities in harsh and dangerous working environments, continuing to fight with tenacity. This was also why agents from Country M, with their robust high-tech equipment and vast wealth, repeatedly fell to Israel’s Mossad. The issue lay in the fact that the latter was founded on religion, and their elites possessed high degrees of national loyalty and religious faith, making them difficult to sway or betray in the face of money.

And Chu Qiao was just such a person. Though she had no religious faith, she had firmly established life principles. Whatever she did, there was a clear bottom line, and this was the main reason she rushed back to Zhenhuang at the last moment to rescue the Southwestern Garrison Commander.

As far as Chu Qiao knew, the Zhan household would stay in Pengcheng for two days before continuing to Tang Jing. These two days would be the perfect opportunity for her to find a way to rescue the Jing sisters.

Early in the morning, before dawn, someone knocked softly at the door. Chu Qiao sat up immediately, put on her outer clothes, and opened the cabin door. Jing Zi Su stood at the doorway, looking somewhat nervous. Behind her followed a young woman, only in her early twenties, with fine features. Though not as beautiful as Jing Zi Su, she had an excellent figure, curvy in all the right places, and was tall and slender. Even dressed in servant’s clothing, she couldn’t conceal her natural grace.

“Yue’er, sorry to disturb your rest. It’s a bit early.”

Jing Zi Su nervously rubbed her hands, smiling a bit awkwardly. Chu Qiao politely shook her head and said, “Come in quickly. I’ve been awake for a while.”

“Cai Yin went out last night with the Fifth Young Lady and hasn’t returned yet. When she comes back, I’ll bring her to meet you.”

Liang Shaoqing stood to the side, looking curiously at Jing Zi Su and her companion. When they looked his way, he hastily bowed in a scholarly fashion, “Greetings, ladies. I am Liang Shaoqing, courtesy name…”

“Less talk. Go outside and keep watch for us.”

Chu Qiao said coldly. Liang Shaoqing was taken aback and was about to object when he saw Chu Qiao raise her eyebrows. He immediately lost his temper and walked out awkwardly, muttering, “She knows quite a few people.”

As the door closed, Chu Qiao smiled and gestured, “Please sit, sisters.”

“Yue’er, this is Jin Lian from your Fourth Uncle’s family. She used to hold you when you were little. Do you remember?”

Chu Qiao could only smile vaguely. How could she remember? Not only was she an impostor who had borrowed a body, but even if she were the real Jing Yue’er, she probably wouldn’t remember things from such a young age.

The three sat there, momentarily not knowing what to say, creating an awkward atmosphere. Jin Lian seemed very introverted, occasionally stealing glances at Chu Qiao but not daring to approach and speak. She appeared extremely timid. Chu Qiao looked at her carefully and saw that she was thin, and beneath the collar of her clothes, there seemed to be whip marks. Although she tried hard to conceal them with her clothes, a small part was still visible.

It seemed they weren’t living well here. Chu Qiao silently noted this, and her determination to take them away grew stronger.

Jin Lian looked around, suddenly smiled, and said in a small voice tinged with timidity, “Yue’er, you have it so good here. You even have a bed, windows, and dry blankets.”

Zi Su also smiled and said, “Though Yue’er is young, she’s capable. When I told Jin Lian that the youth who dealt with Chen Shuang’s gang was our sister, she wouldn’t believe it. Oh, not just her—even I can hardly believe it now. It feels like a dream. Yue’er, you’ve learned martial arts, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” Chu Qiao nodded and said, “I’ve learned a few self-defense moves.”

Jin Lian gathered her courage and said, “You don’t know how happy everyone was when Chen Shuang and his group were locked up that day.”

“No wonder Yue’er stays in the upper cabins as soon as she arrives. It’s because she has skills.”

Seeing their happy expressions, Chu Qiao felt a warmth rising within her. She gently asked, “Sister Zi Su, what work do you do now? Where do you live?”

“We do cleaning and washing work and live in the lower cabins. Last month, we were still in a large dormitory with twenty people, but we moved to a twelve-person room a few days ago, thanks to Cai Yin. She’s now the Fifth Young Lady’s maid and quite favored.”

“Yes!” Jin Lian said excitedly, “She lives in the upper cabins now, just like you, together with three other higher-ranking maids. The Fifth Young Lady is kind-tempered, the most approachable of all the young ladies. With her around, we suffer much less bullying.”

“Is that so?” Seeing them talk happily, Chu Qiao absent-mindedly agreed, “That’s truly remarkable.”

Zi Su said, “Indeed! A few days ago, the Fifth Young Lady even gave Cai Yin a silk outfit. I haven’t touched such smooth fabric for many years. The Young Lady likes her. Cai Yin is so fortunate—perhaps someday when the Young Lady is in a good mood, she’ll arrange a good marriage for her. If she can marry a high-ranking coachman or cook, she’ll be blessed for life.”

Chu Qiao smiled gently, but suddenly felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She looked at the wounds on Jing Zi Su and Jin Lian, sighed slowly, and turned to take some leftover medicine from her medicine box. “Let’s not talk about others. Let me put some medicine on for you.”

Jing Zi Su was startled and tried awkwardly to hide her injuries, but as they were on her neck and face, she couldn’t conceal them. She laughed awkwardly, “I made a small mistake the day before yesterday and was punished by the supervisor. Jin Lian even took a few blows for me. It’s nothing, almost healed.”

Such things happened everywhere—nobles oppressing commoners, commoners bullying slaves, and even among slaves, there were hierarchies. Chu Qiao said nothing, applying medicine for them while asking, “Sisters, do you plan to be servants all your lives? Haven’t you thought about leaving?”

“Leave?” Zi Su was stunned, asking in confusion, “Leave for where? We have no identity papers, no money, and no relatives to turn to. Wouldn’t we just be captured again if we went out? If we switched to another household, it might not even be as good as the Zhan family. The Zhan household treats servants quite well. Except for the First and Second Young Ladies, who have bad tempers, the rest are good, and Young Master Zi Yu is especially easy-going.”

At this point, Zi Su suddenly paused, then turned to ask sharply, “Yue’er, you’re not planning to escape, are you?”

Chu Qiao was startled and quickly shook her head.

“That’s good,” Jing Zi Su stroked Chu Qiao’s head and said, “Though you’re capable, don’t act rashly. You were fortunate to be sold to Young Master Zi Yu, but if you escape, you might be captured again. In this world, there’s no way out for people like us. Now that we sisters have finally reunited, don’t take risks. I only hope we can stay together, carefully serve our masters, and avoid major mistakes. That’s enough.”

“Yes, I heard that in Yan Tang, servants even get wages. If the Zhan household moves back to Yan Tang someday, we might even earn wages. That would be much better than when we were in Da Xia.”

At that moment, a commotion suddenly came from outside. Chu Qiao frowned and walked forward. As soon as she opened the door, a shrill voice pierced her ears.

The woman, ignoring Chu Qiao standing at the door, peered inside. Spotting Jing Zi Su and Jin Lian, she immediately scolded, “Shameless hussies! So you came here to find men! I’ll skin you alive!”

Jin Lian’s face instantly turned ashen. She stood up and hid behind Zi Su. Jing Zi Su also turned pale, standing up and saying, “Sister Xiao Yun, we were just visiting.”

“You two seductive little sluts, still daring to talk back! Get out here, both of you!”

Liang Shaoqing poked his head out from behind, frowning as he said, “Miss, how can you speak so offensively?”

Xiao Yun turned her head and glared fiercely at Liang Shaoqing, but didn’t argue. However, as Jin Lian passed by her, she reached out and pinched Jin Lian’s arm, shouting harshly, “Move faster! Do I need to carry you?”

Jin Lian cried out in pain, and Zi Su quickly pulled her away. Zi Su hastily bowed and apologized to Xiao Yun, while Jin Lian, with tears in her eyes, cradled her arm and cowered in fear, not daring to say a word.

Xiao Yun snorted smugly, her gaze sweeping over Chu Qiao and Liang Shaoqing’s faces with an expression that seemed to say, “What can you do about it?”

Chu Qiao’s brows gradually furrowed, and she unconsciously stepped forward. At that moment, Jing Zi Su suddenly moved in front of her, blocking her while apologizing to Xiao Yun and secretly holding Chu Qiao’s hand.

Until Jing Zi Su and the others left, Chu Qiao hadn’t said a word. She sat on the bed, head lowered, chest heaving, brows tightly knit.

Liang Shaoqing sensed her bad mood and dared not approach to disturb her.

After a long while, the outside was completely bright, with more and more people on the deck. Liang Shaoqing finally asked softly, “Little Qiao, are we leaving today?”

“Yes,” Chu Qiao said in a low voice. She stood up and walked out of the cabin, saying as she went, “You eat something first. I’ll go say farewell to the young master.”

Passing through the deck, she saw Jin Lian kneeling on the ground with a cloth, wiping the stern. Seeing Chu Qiao from afar, her eyes lit up with joy, and she quickly turned away. Soon, Jing Zi Su came running from behind, happily waving to Chu Qiao, showing no signs of unhappiness.

Chu Qiao stood there, waving back at them. Seeing their happy expressions, she suddenly felt a heaviness in her heart.

She took a deep breath, trying not to think too much, and headed toward the upper cabin. As she climbed the stairs, she noticed a small boat moored beside the large ship. Though simple in design, the black-canopied craft was quite exquisite, presenting an elegant charm against the misty waters.

It seemed visitors had boarded the ship. Chu Qiao paid little attention, thinking perhaps servants from the other two large ships had come to report something, and she continued walking up.

Meeting the servant girl by Zhan Zi Yu’s side, Chu Qiao respectfully stated her purpose. After a while, the maid came out from the inner cabin, looked at Chu Qiao strangely, and said, “Follow me.”

Chu Qiao followed the maid to the inner cabin and stood at the door of a room. The little maid said, “The master is meeting guests. Wait here for a while.”

Chu Qiao nodded and waited quietly.

After a while, there was movement inside the cabin, as if someone was walking toward the door. Then, clear voices came through. Besides Zhan Zi Yu’s voice, there was another male voice that sounded strangely familiar.

Just as Chu Qiao was trying to figure out who the visitor might be, the cabin door opened. Chu Qiao carefully raised her head to look, and instantly felt her scalp tingle, nearly fleeing on the spot!

The man wore a dark green robe, and fine silk clothing, with star-like eyes and a prominent aquiline nose, giving him a somewhat gloomy appearance. Even when smiling, he gave people the impression of being full of schemes. He casually glanced outside, where only Chu Qiao and the little maid stood. Although Chu Qiao quickly concealed her expression and lowered her head, she was still caught by him.

The man was immediately startled, his brows tightly knitting. He gazed intently at Chu Qiao, then reached out to lift her chin, his eyes as sharp as an eagle’s, staring at her fixedly.

“Young Prince?” Zhan Zi Yu was slightly surprised and called out softly.

Chu Qiao resignedly raised her head, avoiding the man’s hand, then respectfully bowed, “This servant greets the master.”

“Servant?” The man looked Chu Qiao up and down, then suddenly smiled, “What a pretty servant!”

Zhan Zi Yu said, “The Young Prince jests. When my sister returns, I will certainly convey your message to her. I’m sorry you’ve come for nothing.”

“Master Zhan is too polite. I haven’t had the chance to send you off on your return to Tang. Meeting on the river like this is also fate.”

“I am but a commoner. How could I trouble the Young Prince to see me off? You honor me too much.”

“Haha,” the man laughed heartily, “Master Zhan has always been an elegant character.”

The Young Prince slightly raised his brow, glancing at Chu Qiao standing with her head lowered, and asked, “Little servant, what’s your name?”

Chu Qiao kept her head down and replied calmly, “This servant is called Little Qiao.”

“Little Qiao, Little Qiao,” the Young Prince smiled, “A good name.”

With that, he turned and left with large strides.

Everyone immediately lined up on both sides, respectfully seeing him out the door. When everything had completely quieted down, Chu Qiao slowly raised her head, cold sweat pouring from her forehead, and let out a long breath.

She knew all her plans had to stop immediately. She had to leave right away, regardless of the reason, regardless of who needed her help. She had to go immediately.

Because the person who had just left was her old acquaintance, the Young Prince Jing—Jing Han.

When everyone returned, they all wore strange expressions. Those present just now included not only Zhan Zi Yu, but also the eldest son-in-law Gu Gong’en, the Eldest Young Lady Zhan Zi Fang, and the Sixth Young Lady Zhan Zi Yun. Among those who returned, there was even the Second Young Lady Zhan Zi Kui.

Zhan Zi Fang asked first, “You know Young Prince Jing?”

Chu Qiao frowned, but could only say stubbornly, “No, I don’t.”

“Then why did he single you out?”

“This, this servant doesn’t know.”

“Could it be?” Zhan Zi Kui frowned at Chu Qiao, thought for a while, and said in a deep voice, “Could the rumors outside be true?”

Zhan Zi Fang was startled, “What rumors?”

“That Young Prince Jing favors men!”

Hearing this, Chu Qiao immediately gulped. Then she heard Gu Gong’en add, “If that’s the case, we need to change our strategy. Having the Fifth Sister entertain him might not be enough.”

With these words, everyone’s gaze instantly focused on her. Chu Qiao felt a chill run down her spine, cold all over.

“Um, I came, to bid farewell to the young master. The young master promised me that after the ship docked, he would let me go.”

“No!” Zhan Zi Kui spoke first, “Why should you be allowed to leave?”

Zhan Zi Yu frowned, “Second Sister, this was my decision.”

“Times have changed,” Zhan Zi Kui said. “Young Prince Jing has caught up with us. We didn’t say goodbye to him when we left, which was already improper. Now returning to the capital, we urgently need someone to rely on. With such an opportunity, how can we not seize it?”

“It was just casual banter. Why take it seriously?”

“Even if it’s casual, going all out shows our respect for him.” Zhan Zi Fang said, then turned to look at Chu Qiao, “You, go back and pack up, prepare yourself. After we go ashore, you’ll come with me to visit Young Prince Jing.”

Chu Qiao slowly frowned, her eyes slightly raised, looking sideways at the people before her. The anger she had suppressed all morning surged in her heart. What were they planning to do—send her to Jing Han?

Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside. The maid from earlier ran in breathlessly, pushed open the door, and gasped, “Young Master, Eldest Young Lady, Second Young Lady, Eldest Son-in-law, Sixth Young Lady, that… that Young Prince, he’s back!”

“What?” Everyone was stunned. Gu Gong’en asked solemnly, “What’s he come back for?”

“He’s brought luggage and many servants, saying he… saying he wants to stay on our ship and travel to the capital with us!”

Crash! The teacup in Zhan Zi Fang’s hand instantly fell to the ground. Everyone looked at each other in astonishment and delight. After staring at one another for a while, they finally all turned their gaze to Chu Qiao’s face!

Chu Qiao instantly felt dizzy. She knew her escape plan had completely failed.