Chapter 257: Chapter 205: The Xiao Family Must Have a Master
A rumbling sound shattered the quiet of the rainy night, coming to a stop on nearby Kangning Street.
Lou Yuxue looked toward the sound.
Two graceful figures stepped down from the carriage, one after the other.
The one in the lead was strikingly beautiful, wearing a phoenix hairpin. Her brows and eyes were clear and elegant.
The other was dressed as a maid in a pale yellow cloth dress, carrying two long swords.
It was Cui Qingwu and her maid, Huan’er.
The two of them walked to the pavilion together.
Cui Qingwu lifted a hand, and Huan’er opened an Oil Paper Umbrella, silently standing guard outside the pavilion without a word.
Cui Qingwu sized up Lou Yuxue, a smile playing on her lips as she said,
"You really lost badly this time, Lady Tiger."
Lou Yuxue rose to her feet and looked at her, saying flatly, "I’m still standing here. How can you say I’ve lost?"
"Even if we were affected by this—with Hawk having fled and Gray Wolf dead—do you really think you can remain untouched?"
The implication was clear: they were both Silver Banner Officers stationed in Shu State. If the Pavilion Master decided to punish someone, he would treat them equally.
Cui Qingwu kept smiling. "I finished my business yesterday. Any impact on me is negligible."
"You, on the other hand... not only did you fail to get many silver coins, but your Spring Rain Building was hit. If you hadn’t run so fast, Xiao Jinghong would have had you cornered by now."
"My people didn’t suffer heavy losses."
"And Hawk?"
Upon hearing this, Lou Yuxue’s tone became stiff. "His mission was already complete. He won’t be punished by our superiors, no matter how many men he lost."
Cui Qingwu asked noncommittally, "So you only lost some silver coins this time? Two hundred and ninety thousand taels?"
Lou Yuxue pressed her lips together. Though she was already numb from the blow, she still seethed with anger at the thought of that bastard, Liu Wu.
After a moment of silence, she said, "I didn’t seek you out today to be mocked by you."
Cui Qingwu watched her with an unreadable smile. "Let’s hear it. Why did you look for me?"
"Xiao Jinghong has completely swept the Evil Demonic Dao out of West City. It will be hard for them to re-establish themselves before a new Elder from the Bright Moon Building arrives. So, I need you to help me find a place to lay low."
"Are you begging me?"
"Cui Qingwu, don’t push me..."
Before Lou Yuxue could finish, Cui Qingwu’s tone shifted. "I can help you with that."
"But I have a condition."
Lou Yuxue suppressed her anger. "Name it!"
Cui Qingwu said with a smile, "Before I leave Shu State, you have to do three things for me."
Lou Yuxue’s brow furrowed. "What else are you planning?"
"You came to Shu State on your own this time. The Pavilion Master and the Golden Banner Officer are already displeased. If you stay any longer, aren’t you afraid the Pavilion Master will call you to account?"
Cui Qingwu’s smile faded slightly. "That’s my business, not yours."
"Besides, even if they’re displeased, what can they really do to me?"
Lou Yuxue paused at her words, giving her a long, hard look. "I can agree to your condition, but it must not conflict with the mission."
"Of course."
"After all, who in the White Tiger Guard doesn’t know that the Lady Tiger is famously impartial and devoted solely to the Pavilion Master?"
"Hmph!"
Lou Yuxue snorted coldly and turned her head to look toward the Quchi, ignoring the taunt.
"Later, I will assess the situation with the Xiao and Liu Families and report what has happened here to our superior. Until he replies, neither of us can make another move."
"Relax. I’m not as invested in the affairs of Shu State as you are."
"Then why did you come to Shu State? To help Chen Yunfan?"
Cui Qingwu gave her a radiant smile. "Take a guess."
At her words, an image of that detestable man’s face flashed through Lou Yuxue’s mind. Her tone turned rigid.
"Suit yourself. Just don’t forget what you promised me. And remember, somewhere in North City would be best."
"Oh?"
"...The Xiao Family’s Hidden Guard have been watching South City and West City recently, and East City is too far from the Xiao Family."
After that brief explanation, Lou Yuxue turned and walked away.
Cui Qingwu watched her until she was in the distance, then let out a soft chuckle. She beckoned Huan’er over with the umbrella and returned to her carriage.
Huan’er glanced around before driving the carriage south toward Tingyu Pavilion.
"Miss, that woman is so tactless."
"She is a bit, but... never mind. Tomorrow, remember to acquire a storefront on Kangning Street."
"A storefront?"
’It wouldn’t do to let her have too much free time.’
Cui Qingwu watched the rain fall outside the carriage window, her mood quite pleasant.
Despite her earlier taunts, she actually held Lou Yuxue’s abilities in high regard. Otherwise, she never would have proposed that condition.
’But approval was one thing. That woman, Lou Yuxue, was far too rigid in her single-minded loyalty to the Pavilion Master.’
’She had to be cautious.’
「After the carriage left Kangning Street.」
A dark figure quietly emerged from the grass beside the Quchi.
The dim yellow glow of a lantern illuminated his form, revealing a tall, slender man with a long, thin face.
It was none other than Ning Yu, Chen Yunfan’s Guard.
’Miss Cui is connected to the Hidden Guard, too?’
’I have to report this to the Young Master immediately...’
...
「Late evening.」
「Tingyu Pavilion.」
Inside a room in the central courtyard, Chun Ying stood by the window, gazing toward the rear courtyard with a thoughtful expression on her delicate face.
Ning Yu stood respectfully by her side, waiting quietly.
A moment later, Chun Ying seemed to snap out of her thoughts. She smiled and said, "Brother Yu, you should go rest. I’ll find the Young Master and tell him what happened."
Ning Yu bowed slightly. "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Chun Ying."
Chun Ying nodded, and after bidding him farewell, she walked with light steps toward a room deeper in the complex.
She glanced at Chen Yunfan, who was fast asleep, hugging his quilt. After a moment’s thought, she turned and fetched a basin of warm water.
After soaking a towel in the water, she came to the bedside. She gently wiped Chen Yunfan’s eyes with the damp cloth and whispered,
"Young Master, wake up..."
Chen Yunfan stirred as if sensing her, turning over and mumbling groggily, "What is it? Why are you disturbing me?"
Chun Ying sighed helplessly. Pressing a hand on his shoulder, she said, "Young Master, we have a lead on what happened during the day."
"The burning of the Three Towns’ summer grain... it was orchestrated by the Hidden Guard. That group of Evil Demons from the Bright Moon Building were just providing cover."
