Yang Yucheng respectfully said: “Miss Fu, please give your instructions!”

“Doesn’t Master Yang have a separate courtyard at Xisheng Inn?” Fu Tingyun smiled at Yang Yucheng. “I suggest that Master Yang and your brothers San Fu and Shi Zhu move to Xisheng Inn!”

“What?” Yang Yucheng looked at Fu Tingyun in surprise.

Fu Tingyun nodded and asked him: “Why does Master Yang think Moyi would put Master Nine in danger?”

Yang Yucheng frowned slightly: “Naturally, because Master Nine saw something he shouldn’t have seen and is unwilling to join the Sixteenth Master.”

“If Master Nine joined the Sixteenth Master, would he be out of danger?” Fu Tingyun smiled.

Yang Yucheng remained silent, his brows furrowing even more, clearly disagreeing with Fu Tingyun’s words.

“I heard from A-Sen earlier that you were originally planning to go to Jiangnan. Though I don’t know why you wanted to go to Jiangnan, it must have been Master Nine’s long-standing wish. Between joining the Sixteenth Master and going to Jiangnan, you all believed that Master Nine would choose Jiangnan, which is why you feel there’s a deadlock between Master Nine and the Sixteenth Master.” Fu Tingyun said seriously, “That’s why I want to ask you to stay at Xisheng Inn, to be with Master Nine, to let him know that you are willing to live and die with him.” She sighed, “Master Nine is a man who values relationships and righteousness. He may disregard his own life, but he won’t disregard the lives of his brothers. This is a desperate measure, but only this way might Master Nine change his mind.” Then she smiled, “I think since you’re not afraid of death, you’re certainly not afraid to face Moyi and his men alongside Master Nine, right?”

“I understand Miss Fu’s meaning,” Yang Yucheng said. “I’ve also thought about moving to the inn.” He began to hesitate, “But what if Master Nine… wouldn’t that eliminate any chance of escape?” He appeared conflicted.

This must be what they call “anxiety clouds judgment”!

They were accustomed to following Zhao Ling’s orders. With just a little opposition from Zhao Ling, even though Yang Yucheng knew there was another possibility, he couldn’t make up his mind.

“Do you think that hiding in the shadows would help Master Nine escape? I doubt it!” Fu Tingyun said. “Rather than doing that, why not move directly to Xisheng Inn and ask Master Nine to change his mind? If Master Nine doesn’t agree, then use the Sixteenth Master’s name card to submit to Shaanxi Military Commissioner Wu Xin on Master Nine’s behalf.” Her tone was firm and resolute, “Whether by moving Master Nine with brotherly sentiment or by forcing him to join the Sixteenth Master, we must make him change his mind. That’s better than helping him escape now, only for him to face the pursuit of the Yingchuan Marquis and others, waiting for them to hunt him down on trumped-up charges. Besides, you’re smuggling salt—they don’t even need to fabricate ‘false’ charges!”

“This…” Yang Yucheng listened as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

He probably had never thought about forcing Zhao Ling to change his mind!

Fu Tingyun thought about this and said: “The ancients said, blindly agreeing and following, leading loved ones to unrighteousness, is being unfilial. If this applies to parents, how much more so to Master Nine.”

Yang Yucheng’s expression turned awkward.

“You’re afraid Master Nine will blame you, right?” Fu Tingyun sighed lightly. “If Master Nine blames anyone, Master Yang can just say it was my idea.” She lowered her eyelids, “Let Master Nine resent me instead.”

Yang Yucheng was moved as he looked at Fu Tingyun’s pale and helpless face.

He took a deep breath: “Alright!” he said resolutely. “We’ll move to Xisheng Inn.”

Fu Tingyun raised her head, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

…

The waxing crescent moon hung like a bow in the blue-gray sky, with a few stars scattered in the distance.

Zhao Ling opened his eyes, his pupils gleaming brightly in the darkness, like a leopard poised to strike, watching the shadow that was stealthily moving in his room, quietly searching through his things.

“What are you looking for?” he suddenly spoke, his voice calm and composed, echoing in the room where one could hear a pin drop.

The figure suddenly froze like a silhouette.

The room suddenly brightened.

The octagonal oil lamp on the large round table in the center of the room suddenly lit up, illuminating a handsome face.

A-Sen’s face turned bright red, and he mumbled: “I, I… it was Miss Fu… no, it was Brother Yucheng… who sent me…” He couldn’t articulate what he was trying to say.

Yang Yucheng had been staying there for three days. With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, they had made no progress. Fu Tingyun had to send A-Sen: “The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions. They might act before then so they can enjoy the holiday with peace of mind. We must get the name card before that.” Since Zhao Ling had been lying in bed every day after Fu Tingyun left, Yang Yucheng hadn’t had a chance to act. They thought of A-Sen, who was small in stature and had been serving closely by Zhao Ling’s side, familiar with all his belongings. They had him put something to induce sleep in Zhao Ling’s medicine and sent A-Sen to find the name card under the cover of night.

Zhao Ling reached under his pillow and took out something to show A-Sen: “Is this what you’re looking for?”

Under the dim yellow light, the bright red, gold-embossed name card gleamed brilliantly, flashing with golden light.

“I, I…” he stammered, kneeling before Zhao Ling, “Master Nine…” Tears streamed down his face as he lowered his head in shame and guilt, not daring to look at Zhao Ling.

“Go and call Yucheng here!” Zhao Ling instructed A-Sen.

“Yes!” A-Sen drooped like a frost-bitten eggplant and left with his head down.

Zhao Ling let out a long breath, looking at the ceiling beam, as if recalling something amusing, and laughed silently.

Footsteps hesitated at the door.

Zhao Ling composed himself: “Come in!” His voice was calm and indifferent, yet it made Yang Yucheng’s heart race.

“Yes!” Yang Yucheng entered timidly.

Zhao Ling sat up and leaned against the headboard.

The bright red, gold-embossed name card was casually thrown beside the bed, but Yang Yucheng didn’t dare even glance at it.

“You’re growing older, gaining experience, and becoming more resourceful,” Zhao Ling looked at him and said coolly. “Now you’re even stealing things from my room.”

Yang Yucheng’s legs trembled like sifting chaff. He forced a smile worse than a grimace: “I’m doing this for Master Nine’s sake. I can’t be like those censors who died for their principles, implicating their lord in unrighteousness!”

What a mess of words.

Zhao Ling thought to himself, but his expression remained calm: “Early tomorrow morning, pack your things and go to Willow Lane with San Fu and Shi Zhu!”

“Master Nine!” Yang Yucheng’s face turned pale.

Going back like this would mean their trip had been for nothing.

“This is Xi’an Prefecture, where the Shaanxi Provincial Administration, Surveillance Office, and Military Command are located,” Zhao Ling’s tone conveyed a casual indifference. “Even if Moyi and his men want to make a move, they must consider the three offices and the Censorate. It’s not that easy. Besides, I can still defend this room.” He continued, “When buying something, one usually compares three shops. Without comparison, how would they know how much we’re worth?”

“Master Nine!” Yang Yucheng looked at Zhao Ling in shock.

“Alright, go to sleep now!” Zhao Ling said. “It’s the middle of the night, disturbing people’s peace.” He lay down. “Oh, and get me a Dragon Spring sword.” Then he muttered, “I’ve only recovered half my strength now, better not to use my true power recklessly.”

Yang Yucheng finally came to his senses.

“Master Nine, do you mean it?” His face was full of joy. “Did I hear you correctly?”

Zhao Ling closed his eyes.

Yang Yucheng grinned and jumped up: “I’ll go get Master Nine a Dragon Spring treasured sword right away.” Then he dashed out.

A-Sen was peering in from the doorway.

Zhao Ling beckoned to him: “Go tell Miss Fu to stay put and enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival. Tell her not to worry about everything all the time!”

A-Sen had been eavesdropping outside, and Zhao Ling hadn’t tried to keep him from hearing. He already knew what had happened in the room. His face was bright red, his eyes sparkling with excitement evident in his expression. He happily responded with a loud “Yes!”I’ll go tell Miss Fu right away!” He turned to leave.

“Come back!” Zhao Ling commanded sternly. “What time is it? Where do you think you’re going?”

By this time, the city was under curfew.

A-Sen came back, looking at Zhao Ling with a silly grin, his expression indescribably happy, which made Zhao Ling smile slightly. A-Sen grew bolder and leaned on Zhao Ling’s bedside, saying: “Miss Fu has been so worried these days. Though she laughs and talks with Madam Lü, as soon as she turns away, her brows furrow. She eats very little and has lost weight. Once, I even saw her crying secretly while lying on her bed. If I go back and tell Miss Fu, she’ll be delighted.”

“What’s all this talk about life and death!” Zhao Ling lightly reprimanded him, his eyes twinkling like stars in the lamplight. “Who did you learn this from? Miss Fu?”

“No, no,” A-Sen waved his hands repeatedly. Thanks to Miss Fu’s help with Master Nine’s situation, Master Nine must be quite displeased. He couldn’t risk angering Master Nine further. “I misspoke!”

Zhao Ling looked at him and said coolly: “It seems not only Yucheng follows her commands, but you’re also quite protective of her!” There was an indescribable gleam in his dark eyes.

A-Sen was stunned.

Zhao Ling closed his eyes again.

A-Sen didn’t dare move. Only after hearing Zhao Ling’s breathing become long and even did he tiptoe out, carefully closing the door.

In the courtyard, though light, the sound of running footsteps rang like drums in Zhao Ling’s ears.

He smiled slightly.

The little fellow couldn’t resist running to report the news to the ninth Miss Fu.

He wondered what expression she would have when she heard that he had changed his mind!

Zhao Ling suddenly wanted to see it.

…

“Really!” Fu Tingyun excitedly paced around the room. “Did Master Nine say that?” Though her face was full of smiles, tears flowed uncontrollably.

“Yes!” A-Sen was equally overjoyed, nodding vigorously. “Brother Yucheng has already gone to get a Dragon Spring sword for Master Nine!”

“He must get one, he must!” Fu Tingyun said. “Is the Dragon Spring treasured sword good enough? Are there any better swords? To do a job well, one must first sharpen one’s tools. This can’t be taken lightly. Perhaps Zheng San should go with Master Yang to help—Zheng San is very familiar with Xi’an Prefecture.” As soon as she said this, she suddenly stopped, looking confused. “Wait, how did Master Nine change his mind so quickly? Is what he said true or false? He’s not deceiving us, is he?”

“No, surely not!” A-Sen looked at Fu Tingyun in astonishment. “Why would Master Nine deceive us?”

Fu Tingyun pulled A-Sen to sit down: “Then tell me, why does Master Nine want to go to Jiangnan?”

She smiled at A-Sen, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes.