Su Mingyu curled her lip, released Prince Ning, and reached for a cloak on the rack to drape over herself. She could already feel the wound on her waist tearing open again. Just before opening the door, she had quickly added a blood-dissolving agent to her bathwater, managing to bypass Prince Ning’s inspection. If he discovered her injury now, there would be no way to explain it away.
She didn't actually fear Prince Ning’s threats, but given her current identity, she couldn't afford to be too reckless. Shrinking back, she sat on the edge of the bed and said with a look of grievance, "Since Your Highness suspects me, why bring me into Prince Ning’s Estate at all?"
"I prefer to keep dangerous people under my own eyes."
Su Mingyu puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. "Rest assured, I am just an ordinary, peerless heroine. Following you is, on one hand, out of admiration, and on the other..." She paused. "I don't have any grand ambitions. I only think that when I encounter people in need, I should do what I can to help."
The first half of her sentence was pure fabrication, but the latter half was actually quite sincere. Having studied martial arts since she was young and raised as a boy, she had once been a girl with dreams of being a "hero." However, ever since the violent death of her adoptive father, she had walked on thin ice every single day to climb to a position of power, even forced to "wallow in the mire" with corrupt officials. How could she dare to dream such simple, beautiful dreams anymore?
Su Mingyu gave a mournful smile, which Murong Ke interpreted as self-mockery for being wrongly accused. For some reason, he suddenly felt a pang of guilt. He stared at her deeply before finally withdrawing his piercing gaze.
"We’ve been at this for half the night. We shall discuss any other matters tomorrow. Go get some rest."
Su Mingyu blinked in surprise: *He’s just letting it go?*
A look of joy appeared on her face. "If Your Highness really doesn't trust me, you can send someone to follow me. I will be in the city helping distribute porridge during the day. Once the disaster in Liangzhou is resolved, I will not stay a single day longer. I plan to travel the world!"
Prince Ning frowned and pondered for a moment. "Surveillance won't be necessary; I doubt a young girl like you could stir up much trouble. However, there are too many disaster victims in Liangzhou, and things can get rowdy during porridge distribution. I will send a maid to follow you, so you have someone to assist you."
Su Mingyu nodded with shining eyes, though she sneered inwardly: *Still can’t trust me, even while putting on such a virtuous front.*
After Su Mingyu sent Murong Ke away, the danger had passed. Yet, she felt a strange chill in her heart. This Prince Ning’s Estate truly was a dragon’s den. She had seen the situation in the dungeon clearly. The Jurchens moved through the dungeon as if they were in their own home; that was certainly no coincidence. It was highly likely that Prince Ning had been colluding with the Jin State for a long time. This seemed to explain why the Jin State attacked the moment the Shenwu Army faced trouble. Were they not both putting on a show for Emperor Chen?
Su Mingyu’s heart sank. By this logic, the warhorses and weapons previously smuggled into Liangzhou likely had links to the Jin State as well. She had to inform Emperor Chen of this immediately.
But before that, there was something even more important. Last month, after receiving news from the Brocade Guard in Liangzhou, the Capital had lost all contact with their agents there. Emperor Chen had been furious, but since Prince Ning was planning a rebellion, a single letter wasn't convincing enough. That was why the Emperor had sent her to investigate. Now that she had finally reached Liangzhou, she had to locate the Brocade Guard's stronghold. Only by finding them could she possibly obtain proof of Prince Ning’s treason.
Furthermore, the disaster relief grain could wait no longer; she had to notify Qingyang to speed up the pace. Whatever tricks Xu Ke might be up to, she had no time to worry about them now.
***
Two days later, three hundred miles from Suzhou Prefecture in Yongzhou, a black hawk circled above a merchant caravan. The man leading the group gave a whistle, and the hawk landed on his shoulder. He expertly patted the bird’s head and removed a note from its leg. After reading the contents, he furrowed his brows and clenched his fist.
"Everyone, listen up!"
The previously sluggish caravan immediately changed their demeanor, falling into neat, disciplined lines.
"From this moment on, march at full speed! We must reach Liangzhou within three days!"
"Yes!"
The booming response was imposing in the winter air. Everyone in the group gripped the swords at their waists tightly. They knew that from this moment on, the real danger had begun.
Meanwhile, at Suzhou Prefecture, Chen Ping was walking his pet bird in his courtyard. A guard hurried in to report, "My Lord, someone has spotted the convoy transporting the relief grain in Yongzhou."
Chen Ping paused, then let out a boisterous laugh. "I knew it. A group of people hiding and skulking would eventually show their tails. Send more men. That newly appointed Commander cannot be allowed to die on my soil."
Once he finished giving his orders, Chen Ping was in excellent spirits. Just as he prepared to take his birdcage to the backyard to visit his concubine, another guard rushed in.
"My Lord, we have spotted the convoy transporting the relief grain in Dingzhou."
Chen Ping put down the cage and hurried forward. "Dingzhou? Not Yongzhou?"
The guard nodded heavily. Chen Ping stroked his mustache and pondered for a long time.
"Report!"
Chen Ping asked impatiently, "Don't tell me—you have news about the relief grain too?"
Seeing the guard’s bewildered expression, Chen Ping angrily smashed the birdcage to the ground. "You crafty little devil, Su Mingyu! Playing a 'sound in the east, strike in the west' game with me, are you?"
"Come here! Go borrow troops from the garrison. Tell them that bandits are rampant after the disaster and we need reinforcements. I don't believe that with all our numbers, we can't handle one greenhorn!"
***
The maid assigned to Su Mingyu by Prince Ning arrived the next day. For the past two days, Su Mingyu had been truly going out early and returning late, following the Prince’s men to distribute porridge in the streets. She was beautiful and kind-hearted, so before long, word spread throughout Liangzhou City that a celestial maiden had arrived at Prince Ning’s Estate. Rumor had it she had a close relationship with the Prince and was likely the future Princess Consort Ning. Consequently, the stalls where she served porridge always had longer lines than anywhere else.
Some of the bolder residents had tried to verify this with her, but Su Mingyu always responded with nothing but a smile. She had originally intended to use the mouths of the commoners to draw out the Brocade Guard, as they were rooted in Liangzhou specifically to investigate Prince Ning and his associates. To her surprise, two days had passed without a single sign of the Brocade Guard, but she had managed to attract someone else instead.
That day, as Su Mingyu was distributing porridge as usual, a patrol passed by. Just as she was smiling and spooning a bowl of porridge for an elderly man, an arrow suddenly whistled toward her wrist.