Volume One, Chapter 8: Obtaining the Official Departure Token

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Gu Nanxiao fell silent upon hearing this. In the capital, it was unheard of for a lady of a noble family to leave the residence freely; even attending banquets or offering incense was a rare occasion for them. Yet here was a request for a lady to come and go at will—something completely unprecedented.

He had a persistent feeling that Yun Xi was no ordinary person confined to the pond; once released, she would be like a fish returning to the sea or a tiger returning to the forest—gone without return.

However, this demand was the only compensation she sought after having surrendered the blueprint and then being falsely accused of ruining the design. If he refused, it would mean breaking his promise to her.

After a moment of contemplation, Gu Nanxiao said, “I can grant you a token that allows you to leave the residence freely, but each time you go out, you must be accompanied by one of my personal guards.”

Yun Xi nodded without hesitation, instantly turning sorrow into joy, flashing Gu Nanxiao a broad smile as if she did not mind being supervised.

In truth, it was not that she was indifferent; she had long realized that with Gu Nanxiao’s various forces—bodyguards, secret agents, the Golden Guards—even the smallest actions of hers would be meticulously reported to him.

Though young, his position was akin to the chief of a national intelligence agency in modern terms.

Moreover, since she planned to deal with Shi Qingchen in the future, she would inevitably have to undertake many secretive actions. Even if she wished to conceal them, it would be impossible, and sometimes she would even need to leverage his power. It was better to be candid.

Seeing her willing to comply, Gu Nanxiao was somewhat pleased. He immediately instructed Moyu to bring a token and assigned a personal guard to accompany Yun Xi whenever she left the residence.

Yun Xi accepted the token and handed Gu Nanxiao the formula for refining fine iron that she had meticulously prepared, explaining the various ingredient ratios and temperature requirements.

Her only request was that he keep the formula confidential for the time being, especially forbidding its disclosure to the emperor.

Though Gu Nanxiao did not understand why Yun Xi was wary of the emperor, he did not press the matter. At that moment, he was completely stunned by the refining formula.

After a brief daze, he did not say a word to her but hurriedly left the residence once more, heading straight to the armory to seek out Uncle Zheng.

Yun Xi was satisfied with his reaction. After Gu Nanxiao left the Wang residence, she changed into her usual goose-yellow attire, took the token and the diary she had already written, and, accompanied by Qianyu, left for the Shi residence.

She slipped five taels of silver to a young servant at the Shi residence gate, entrusting him with a letter to deliver to Feng Xun’s guard. Then she and Qianyu stood across the alley, watching the entrance of the Shi residence from afar.

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Within the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Feng Xun stumbled out of the residence and immediately spotted the girl in the goose-yellow robe.

Though the girl appeared only sixteen and resembled her master by no more than thirty percent, her unique aura was an exact match—tenfold identical. Combined with the handwriting and the coded message inside the letter, Feng Xun, though reluctant to believe it, was convinced beyond doubt that this was indeed his mistress.

As he approached, he suddenly stopped, his eyes glistening with tears. His lips moved several times, but he did not dare to call her by name.

Finally, Yun Xi let out a light laugh and said, “Spending ten taels of silver to buy you back then was truly the right decision.”

Only the two of them knew the history of that transaction. Hearing this, Feng Xun no longer doubted and suppressed the surge of emotion within. He wanted to ask why she had taken on this new appearance but refrained out of consideration for the unfamiliar young guard next to her.

He merely nodded and replied, “I can never repay your grace. Whatever you command, I will do my utmost to fulfill.”

Yun Xi nodded in satisfaction. “When I cannot send messages outside the residence, Qianyu will deliver them to you. If you hear a signal of two short and one long magpie calls outside the courtyard wall, come out to receive the message.”

“If you wish to send messages to me, come to the west wall of the Wang residence and give the same signal. I will send Qianyu to meet you.”

Feng Xun casually assessed the young guard and nodded without hesitation.

After these instructions, Yun Xi handed Feng Xun the diary she had hurriedly compiled overnight, urging him, “Deliver this personally to Shi Qingchen. Tell him it was left by your mistress in the hands of her sworn sister. If he asks any further questions, deny knowledge.”

Hearing Shi Qingchen’s name, a flash of hatred crossed Feng Xun’s eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. He did not know what his mistress was thinking now; all he knew was that before, her heart had been wholly invested in that man.

Feng Xun pressed the thick diary to his chest and said, “Rest assured, Mistress, I will handle these matters well.”

Yun Xi nodded approvingly and then produced two ten-tael gold ingots from her sleeve, placing them in Feng Xun’s hand—one for himself and one for Que’er.

Feng Xun initially did not want to accept money from his mistress, but since they had served together, he never disobeyed her wishes. After a brief hesitation, he pocketed the gold ingots.

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Seeing that everything had been settled, Yun Xi waved farewell to Feng Xun and, with no lingering attachment, boarded the carriage at the alley entrance with Qianyu.

Upon returning to the Wang residence, she heard that Gu Nanxiao had also come back. She was slightly surprised but paid it no mind and prepared to rest.

Unexpectedly, just as she removed her outer garment and lay down, Gu Nanxiao burst into the room, swept her from the bed, sat her on his lap, and kissed her fiercely.

At the Shi residence, chaos reigned, shrouded in overwhelming grief because the young master had suddenly collapsed, coughing up blood for unknown reasons.

The situation was critical; even medicine could not be administered. The servants moved quietly, subdued by the dark expression of the Shi Prime Minister, who did not dare allow loud noises or heavy footsteps.

What truly angered the Prime Minister was that even in his unconscious state, Shi Qingchen kept murmuring the name of that woman.

Before the eldest daughter of the Liu family married into the residence, the Minister of Revenue’s sole condition was to eliminate the unknown wild woman living in Shi Qingchen’s quarters to secure the alliance between the two families.

This proposal pleased the Prime Minister, for although Shi Qingchen was born of a concubine, three years prior he had suddenly displayed extraordinary talents that outshone all other noble heirs in the capital.

Because of this, the Prime Minister had, in his capacity as family head, overruled opposition and officially registered Shi Qingchen as the legitimate heir under his lawful mother, confirming him as the residence’s young master.

In recent years, many families had proactively sought marriage alliances, but upon learning of the wild woman and her close relationship with Shi Qingchen, they declined the marriage.

Upon investigation, the Prime Minister discovered these rumors had been deliberately spread by his wayward son to discourage suitors. From that moment, the Prime Minister resolved that the woman must be removed.

Coincidentally, the Liu family was willing to marry their legitimate daughter into the residence, and their sole condition aligned perfectly with the Prime Minister’s intentions. The two families quickly agreed to eliminate the wild woman on the wedding day.