[Southern Tang, Main Hall of the Prince Qi Manor]
Incense swirled in the air, but the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy. The entire household of the Prince of Qi knelt on the cold stone floor, the only sound being the shrill, grating voice of the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department. Each word of the decree felt like a steel wire tightening around their necks.
Yellow Seven pressed her forehead against the freezing tiles, her mind clear and sharp.
She had long understood that once wealth reached a level capable of shaking the nation's foundation—or controlling the court's lifeline—it would inevitably draw the greedy eyes of the Imperial family. She simply hadn't expected this "predation" to come so swiftly, or that the one leading the attack would be the Southern Tang Emperor himself, the man who had vowed to protect the orphans of the Prince of a different surname.
"Sister..." Beside her, she heard Qi Hao's suppressed breathing. The boy's hands were trembling slightly.
Yellow Seven closed her eyes. Previously, she had hesitated, wondering if she should do everything in her power to carve out a peaceful life for Hao'er within Southern Tang. Now it was clear: this devouring city of Jinling had become a living tomb.
They had to leave. Now.
If she were alone, she could vanish into the night of Jinling with her skills. But what about Qi Hao? What about the loyal servants of the manor, or the hundreds of lives at the Exquisite Pavilion who depended on her? As a special agent, she would never allow her battlefield to be left in a bloody mess.
"Princess? Princess... please accept the decree." Seeing Yellow Seven motionless for so long, the Chief Eunuch urged her in a thin, inquisitive voice.
Yellow Seven snapped back to the present, suppressing the rising hostility in her eyes. She put on an expression of fearful reverence, raising both hands above her head to steadily receive the scroll of bright yellow silk.
"Qi Xuan... thanks Your Majesty for his boundless grace."
She rose elegantly and shot a meaningful look at the butler. Her voice was warm and considerate. "Servants, show the Elders to the side hall for tea. The spring in Jinling is chilly; we must not neglect the esteemed guests from the palace."
As she spoke, she smoothly slid a heavy, brocade pouch embroidered with gold into the Chief Eunuch's palm.
"It has been a long journey, Elder. A small token for some warm tea to soothe the throat. Please, speak a few kind words for us siblings before His Majesty."
The Chief Eunuch felt the weight of the pouch. His tense, aged face immediately bloomed into a wrinkled smile, and his back bent a few degrees lower. "Oh, the Princess is too kind. You truly know your etiquette. This old servant won't be polite, then. I shall certainly speak well of you before the Emperor."
Watching the group depart in high spirits, the smile on Yellow Seven's lips instantly turned to ice. She traced the texture of the silk decree, a flash of absolute resolve flickering in her eyes.
[The Study]
"Under the curfew of Jinling, a hundred people traveling by night is too conspicuous. Our only chance is the waterway, using the Exquisite Pavilion's merchant fleet as cover."
Yellow Seven's expression was cold, almost lethal. Standing before her desk were three elders with graying temples—the final pillars of the Qi Manor: Butler Song, Guard Commander Li, and Manager Li of the Exquisite Pavilion. They were the most loyal subordinates of her father's generation, and her final trump cards.
"Uncle Song, take the families and children. You go tonight in the first wave. Commander Li, you are in charge of the escort. If you meet any checkpoints—kill without hesitation." Yellow Seven pointed to a spot on the map along the Qinhuai River. "We will move in batches toward the north. Once you are out of Southern Tang, I will find you."
"Sister, I'm going with you!" Qi Hao suddenly grabbed her sleeve, his eyes—so like their father's—filled with stubbornness and unease.
Yellow Seven knelt and patted the back of his hand. Her tone was gentle but brook no argument. "Hao'er, listen. You are the root of this house. Go with Uncle Song first. I will follow shortly."
"No!" Qi Hao straightened his small back, his lips pressed thin. "When Father and Mother were lost, I could do nothing. Now, wherever Sister is, Hao'er stays. Not even death shall part us!"
Seeing the tears shimmering in the boy's eyes, Butler Song sighed and urged, "Miss, let the young Prince stay with you. My old life can protect the women, but if the Prince loses sight of you, he won't find peace even if he reaches the north."
Yellow Seven looked into Hao'er's stubborn gaze and finally softened. She nodded. "Fine. Hao'er stays with me. But you must follow my every command."
She then turned back to Manager Li, her warmth vanishing into a sharp edge. "Manager Li, the workers at the Exquisite Pavilion are just trying to make a living. The Imperial power fights for wealth and status; they won't bother commoners. Once the manor is mostly empty, spread word that the Pavilion is expanding and needs to close for renovations. Send the workers home to rest and pay them three months' wages in advance. Ensure they are cleanly removed from this mess."
She paused, her gaze deep. "Also, pick a few capable ones to stay behind and fill the spots of those who have left the manor. This play must look real. Those leaving must do so silently; those staying must live as if nothing is changed. We cannot let the outside world see even a hint of abnormality in the Prince's Manor."
Manager Li was stunned for a moment before a flash of deep admiration crossed his eyes. He cupped his fists and bowed. "The Princess is truly compassionate. With three months of wages, the workers will only be grateful and keep their mouths shut. I will select a few quick-witted men to ensure the coming and going of the manor looks perfectly normal."
He looked up into her sharp eyes and lowered his voice. "Merging the false with the true, countering movement with stillness. I fear even those in the palace won't anticipate this move. I shall not fail you."
Yellow Seven looked out at the ink-black night, silently calculating the time. She could feel it—the frequency of the bracer on her left wrist was becoming steady.
Crimson Nine... they are really here.
[Great Qi, Prince of Zhan's Manor, Zhanchuan]
The setting sun plated the deep red walls of the manor with a lingering glow. The heavy vermilion gates creaked open.
The sound of hoofbeats arrived, carrying the grit of Western Yan's winds. As Xiao Zhan dismounted and personally lifted the carriage curtain, several figures waiting inside the gates rushed forward.
Leading them was Crimson Nine's wet nurse, He Meiniang. Though in her forties, she remained dignified and steady, but now her eyes—filled with a thousand worries—were locked onto the red-clad figure stepping down. Behind her followed the spirited maid Huo Xi and the shadow guard Ying Ren, who stood as silent and cold as a ghost.
Seeing the group travel-worn but safe, Meiniang clasped her hands and murmured a prayer. The heart that had been suspended for half a month finally returned to its place.
"Wet-nurse, Xiao Xi." Crimson Nine looked at the two familiar faces, her cold expression rareley softening into a touch of warmth. "Has all been well with you and the manor during this time?"
"Your Highness, Princess." Meiniang suppressed her emotions and led Xiao Xi in a graceful bow to Xiao Zhan and Crimson Nine. Her voice carried a faint, hidden sob.
Xiao Zhan raised a hand to dismiss the formality. "No need for such courtesy. Thank you for guarding the manor. This is Miss Situ Jing, a friend the Princess made on our journey." He kept their true identities hidden for now.
"Blessings to Miss Situ," Meiniang and Xiao Xi greeted politely.
Blue Five peeked out from behind Crimson Nine. Seeing this lively manor, her eyes curved into crescents, and she gave a playful wink. "Hello! Don't be so formal, just call me Blue Five!"
At that moment, Chu Yuning, who had been following silently, stepped forward. He had changed out of his tattered mining clothes, and his aura as a descendant of a legendary military family could no longer be hidden. He looked at the mother and daughter and called out softly, "Aunt Mei, Xiao Xi."
Meiniang froze. She looked up in disbelief. When her eyes met Yuning's face—so strikingly similar to the late General Chu—tears burst from her eyes.
"Is... is this the Third Young Master?" Meiniang's hands trembled, wanting to reach out but fearing it was a dream. "You are alive... the General's spirit protected you. You are truly alive... this is wonderful..."
Beside her, Xiao Xi's eyes were also red as she wiped tears while supporting the wobbling Meiniang. "Princess, this is a miracle. Heaven has truly opened its eyes."
Shadow guard Ying Ren remained silent, but a flash of deep respect flickered in his cold eyes as he looked at Chu Yuning.
"Wet-nurse, stop crying." Crimson Nine supported Meiniang's arm. Her gaze swept over the heavily guarded manor, her eyes turning sharp and deep again. "Let us go inside. I have things I must tell you personally."
Surrounded by the household, Crimson Nine's group stepped into the Prince of Zhan's Manor, a place that had been quiet for far too long.