Su Mingyu, hearing this, was also displeased.
"What do you mean by 'I won't let you off'? I was just minding my own business handing out porridge. Did I ask her to shoot arrows at me? Or is it the rule here in Liangzhou that if she insults me, I must endure it, and if she wants to kill me, I have to stand still and let her?"
"That is not what I meant." Murong Ke massaged his temples, feeling genuinely troubled. "From tomorrow on, you are not to go to the porridge station."
"Why?" Su Mingyu asked, puzzled. "Do you have to control my charity work, too?"
Murong Ke’s face darkened. "If you want to hand out porridge, fine, but why must you do it in the name of Princess Consort Ning? When did I ever say that I would only feel at ease keeping you by my side?"
Su Mingyu had a sudden realization. "Oh, you mean that."
"Didn't you say just a while ago that you like to keep dangerous people under your own eyes? That’s what you said, am I wrong?"
Murong Ke’s expression stiffened; he looked quite uncomfortable. "Is that what you think I meant?"
"Is there something wrong with that?" Su Mingyu blinked, feigning innocence.
Murong Ke clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as he said, "You! From now on, you are not to mention my name to anyone outside!"
Su Mingyu suppressed a laugh as she watched Murong Ke’s frustrated retreating figure, feeling quite pleased with herself.
"My lady, what are you laughing at?" asked her maid, Qingmei, tilting her head.
Su Mingyu said craftily, "Qingmei, I’m certain your Prince Ning likes me. I’ve read in those storybooks that people tend to get especially shy when they are in front of someone they like."
Qingmei’s mouth twitched, and she said helplessly, "My lady, didn't you have an appointment with Manager Mao today to get some clothing made?"
Su Mingyu patted her forehead. "Right! I’ve heard that Manager Mao here in Liangzhou is exceptionally skilled at tailoring. If I’m late and he refuses to make my clothes, that would be a huge loss!"
An incense stick’s time later, Su Mingyu was led by Qingmei to the Cloud Garment Pavilion. The shopkeeper looked up, and upon seeing Su Mingyu, he immediately hurried over with an eager expression.
"Miss Baixue, I’ve been waiting for you. Shall we look at the styles first, or take your measurements?"
Su Mingyu glanced at Qingmei and instructed, "Qingmei, it will take a while for me to get measured here. Could you go to Dingxi Street and find a man named Chen Mazi for me? When I was out yesterday, someone nearly snatched my purse, and it was that Chen Mazi who helped me get it back. I don’t have much to thank him with, but I heard his father has suffered from leg pain for years and can hardly walk. I went up the mountain this morning to gather some herbs for his condition. Could you deliver them for me?"
Qingmei took the bag from Su Mingyu’s hands. No wonder she hadn't seen Su Mingyu when she woke up this morning—she had gone up the mountain to pick herbs. Suspecting nothing, Qingmei said sincerely, "Don’t worry, my lady. I promise to deliver them for you."
Su Mingyu nodded with a smile and watched Qingmei leave. Her smile vanished the instant the girl was out of sight. She said to the shopkeeper, "Manager, besides wanting to buy clothes, I’m looking for something rare."
The shopkeeper seemed not to take her seriously and offered a fake smile. "Miss, this is a clothing store; we only sell garments. For the rare items you’re looking for, you should head to an auction house or a pawn shop."
Su Mingyu kept her eyes fixed on the shopkeeper’s expression and probed, "I heard that this shop once produced a famous ‘Blue Silk Dress.’ I came here specifically for it; do you still have any for sale?"
The shopkeeper looked regretful. "Ah, we don't have that here. That was a rare find indeed. As soon as it arrived last month, a noble took notice of it, and it was sent by express courier to the Capital. I’d love to sell one now, but unfortunately, they are nowhere to be found."
Su Mingyu asked with curiosity, "I heard that the dress glows at night. Is that true?"
The shopkeeper nodded. "That is indeed a fact."
Su Mingyu sighed with regret. "What a pity. If I could have just seen it once, I would have had no regrets."
The shopkeeper chuckled. "You are a person of great fortune, Miss. I am sure you will have the opportunity in the future."
Su Mingyu nodded and went upstairs to get her measurements as planned. Once finished, she was preparing to return to Prince Ning's Estate when she happened to run into Qingmei, who was returning from her errand. Su Mingyu peered into the shop for a moment and asked, puzzled, "You're back already?"
Su Mingyu looked at Qingmei’s still-tidy makeup and gave her a meaningful look. "It’s just a fitting; how long could it possibly take? You, however—Dingxi Street is quite far from here, yet your pace is remarkably swift."
Qingmei touched her head awkwardly and hurriedly changed the subject. "Well... my lady, we should head back. It won’t be easy to explain if we return too late."
Su Mingyu nodded at the shopkeeper and boarded the carriage with Qingmei.
Late that night, Su Mingyu watched as Qingmei fought off sleep, her head nodding like a pestle in a mortar. "You go ahead and sleep first," Su Mingyu said with a smile. "I slept plenty yesterday, so I’m not tired at all. I don’t even know what time it will be by the time I finish this letter home."
Qingmei struggled at first, but after only a short while, she could no longer hold out and slumped onto the table, falling into a deep slumber. Su Mingyu nudged her to ensure she was fast asleep before moving her onto the bed. After tucking her in, Su Mingyu let out a long breath. "This girl really has endurance. She didn’t go down until the incense had been burning for quite a while."
Su Mingyu lowered the bed curtains, donned a human-skin mask, and leapt out of Prince Ning's Estate. It was already the hour of the Ox, and the streets were completely deserted. Su Mingyu made her way with ease to the clothing shop she had visited earlier. The moment she stepped into the courtyard, she saw a light still burning on the second floor.
With her blade in hand, she climbed the stairs cautiously. Seeing the shopkeeper waiting for her with a smile, the stone in her heart finally dropped. The shopkeeper stood up and bowed to her. "Ermao, undercover agent for the Brocade Guard in Liangzhou, greets you, my lady."
Su Mingyu put away her blade and returned the gesture. "How did you know I would come tonight?"
The shopkeeper smiled. "You mentioned the Blue Silk Dress today, and I knew your identity was not simple. The Blue Silk Dress is not actually a rare item; since you claimed to have come specifically for it, it clearly wasn't the dress itself you were seeking. The secret report sent to the Capital last month was hidden within that very dress—there are fewer than three people who know of this. With the grain shipment likely arriving in Suzhou soon, I deduced you must have been sent by the Commander to infiltrate Liangzhou and make contact with me. When you specifically mentioned that it glows at night, I figured you were unable to speak freely earlier and would likely come at night. I didn't know which night it would be, so I waited here every evening."
Su Mingyu nodded in approval and produced a token from her waist. "I am indeed acting on the orders of Lord Su, Commander of the Brocade Guard, to investigate Prince Ning’s recruitment of soldiers and horses."
The moment he saw the token, the shopkeeper immediately fell to his knees in terror. Su Mingyu quickly motioned for him to rise.
"My time is limited. Tell me quickly: why did you lose contact after sending the message? And where are the Prince’s warhorses and weapons hidden?"