Chapter 89: Secret Passage

"Senior Brother Lu, Senior Brother Lu... how could you be so careless?"

An Xiaoman stamped his feet and sighed bitterly. The matter was too important and the situation too urgent for delay. He immediately sat beneath the lamplight, wrote a secret report, and sent it out by Goldenwing to contact his sect. Afterward, he paced back and forth inside the room as all kinds of thoughts crowded into his mind. How much influence did Liu Lu have over Zhou Shouxian? What would Zhou Shouxian do to him? After weighing the possibilities, An Xiaoman decisively chose to leave.

If nothing happened, he could always return later. If he waited until trouble came before thinking about leaving, he feared it would already be too late.

He did not even extinguish the lamp. After packing his belongings and calling his fellow disciples together, he vanished into the vast night without delay...

Outside the window, thin mountain mist drifted in and out of sight. Niu Youdao sat upright before the dressing table, watching the woman in the mirror arrange his hair into a topknot. The bronze mirror's reflection was not particularly clear.

He had originally thought that if an opportunity arose, he might have a clearer mirror made and give it to her in thanks. Then he considered her face. Would giving a woman like her a crystal-clear mirror not amount to rubbing salt in the wound? He quietly abandoned the idea.

"Master Dao, Mr. Lan has arranged everything. Once we've finished breakfast, we can leave whenever you wish," Shang Shuqing reminded him.

"Good."

Niu Youdao answered, closed his eyes, and sat silently for a while. Then he suddenly opened them again.

"I'll eat at His Highness's place this morning."

Shang Shuqing paused in surprise before nodding.

"All right. I'll go back and let them know."

Her surprise was understandable. These days, Shang Chaozong and Feng Ruonan had begun living together normally, and they ate their meals together as well. Everyone could feel that Shang Chaozong was no longer the bachelor he had once been, so constantly crowding around his table no longer seemed appropriate.

Niu Youdao and Yuan Gang had been the first to withdraw. Lan Ruoting followed later. Once Shang Shuqing stopped joining them too, even Bai Yao seemed to feel his presence was superfluous and ceased coming. For Niu Youdao to suddenly say he wanted to eat there again was naturally a little unexpected...

When mealtime came, Niu Youdao entered Shang Chaozong's courtyard and found Lan Ruoting and Shang Shuqing there as well. He guessed they wanted to see why he had suddenly decided to come back. Feng Ruonan returned from the drill ground shortly afterward and paused too when she saw the extra people. Riding, archery, martial practice—these had long since become part of her daily morning routine.

"Greetings, Princess Consort!"

Niu Youdao actually took the initiative to approach and salute her. One did not strike a smiling face, but Feng Ruonan's anger toward him was nowhere near gone. He had played her far too miserably before.

She gave a cold sound of acknowledgment, only to notice that Niu Youdao was looking her up and down in a distinctly strange manner. More specifically, his gaze seemed fixed on her abdomen. What kind of man stared at a woman like that? Why did he seem not to regard her as a woman at all? Feng Ruonan immediately flared up.

"What are you looking at?"

Niu Youdao rubbed his chin and muttered, "Still not pregnant?"

Lan Ruoting and the others were rendered speechless. How could it possibly happen that quickly? Even if she had conceived already, there would be nothing to see yet. Shang Chaozong felt a headache coming on. Why did Master Dao seem incapable of meeting Feng Ruonan without provoking her?

"..."

Feng Ruonan froze. A heartbeat later, she understood what he meant. Humiliation and fury surged together.

"What the hell does that have to do with you?"

Niu Youdao's expression immediately soured.

"Princess Consort, what kind of way is that to speak? Did I say anything wrong? Prince Ning has only His Highness left as a son. If he marries you and you can't even bear him an heir, wouldn't his line end with him? Princess Consort, don't tell me you suffered some injury on campaign and can no longer have children. If that's the case..."

He turned toward the visibly embarrassed Shang Chaozong and called loudly, "Your Highness, how about I find you two beautiful concubines?"

Feng Ruonan's fists clenched.

"Utter bullshit!"

Niu Youdao said, "Princess Consort, why curse when we can speak properly? I know the people in Guangyi Commandery may not think much of us here, but do you imagine they value you all that highly either? For the sake of profit, didn't the Commandery Governor still send you over to His Highness like some object? Did anyone truly care how you felt? I'm only reminding the Princess Consort to think about the future. When the time comes, will the Commandery Governor's foundation pass to his grandson, or to children of yours? Think carefully about where your own future lies—and which side you ought to stand on."

Feng Ruonan laughed from sheer anger.

"Are you trying to sow discord?"

"Think whatever you like. In any case, the ones who may someday suffer hardship, live under another's roof, and watch other people's faces won't be my children. I won't be the one regretting it."

Niu Youdao shrugged indifferently, turned away, and waved to Yuan Gang.

"Monkey, if they don't welcome us, why sit here and swallow their displeasure? Let's go."

Shang Chaozong looked ready to stop him, but Lan Ruoting quietly tugged at his sleeve and shook his head. Then Lan Ruoting cupped his hands.

"Your Highness, I just remembered something that needs handling. I'll take my leave."

As he departed, he gave Shang Shuqing a meaningful glance. Shang Shuqing followed him out. Feng Ruonan's hand settled on the hilt of the sword at her waist. Her mood had inexplicably become heavy. She turned and met Shang Chaozong's gaze. The two stared at one another.

Suddenly she barked, "What are you looking at?"

Shang Chaozong had nothing to say. Caught between the two sides, he was the one who suffered most.

Outside the courtyard, Shang Shuqing caught up with Lan Ruoting and walked beside him. Lan Ruoting sighed softly.

"Master Dao knows he's about to leave and is worried about what may happen here. He deliberately planted a seed in the Princess Consort's heart, hoping she'll think about her own way out instead of pressing His Highness too hard in her urgency to find that thing. There are words we can't conveniently say ourselves. Since his relationship with the Princess Consort is poor anyway, he might as well keep playing the villain and say whatever needs to be said... Master Dao has put thought into this."

Shang Shuqing replied softly, "Even if those words were deliberate manipulation, they were still vicious enough to chill the heart of any woman beneath Heaven."

Lan Ruoting froze. He had forgotten that the person beside him was a woman too... In the capital, at the Song Residence, a beautiful concubine opened a bedroom door. Song Jiuming stepped out after rising for the day and immediately saw Steward Liu Lu waiting outside.

One glance was enough to tell that something was wrong. Liu Lu looked haggard, and grief showed plainly in his face. Liu Lu held out a secret report in both hands.

"Master, the matter was mishandled. This old servant has failed you."

In truth, he had received the Liuxian Sect's secret report earlier. But since the matter concerned him personally, he had not wanted to disturb Song Jiuming's rest and had waited until now.

What matter?

Song Jiuming frowned, accepted the report, and read it. Only then did he learn that Liu Lu's son, Liu Ziyu, had died miserably in Canglu County. He looked up at Liu Lu. This was hardly Liu Lu failing him.

If anything, Song Jiuming had failed Liu Lu. Liu Ziyu had gone to Canglu County because Song Jiuming himself had given the order.

"Old Liu, restrain your grief. Don't worry. I will give you an accounting for this!"

Song Jiuming spoke heavily. If his own grandson had died and circumstances demanded restraint, he could have forced himself to endure it.

But Liu Ziyu was the son of a steward who had served him loyally for many years. That was different. If he suppressed even this, it would chill the hearts of those who followed him. Liu Lu bowed.

"He was the one who failed in his task. No one else can be blamed."

Song Jiuming gave a cold snort.

"The people of Wuliang Mountain have grown bold indeed. They even dare sell out one of my men. Notify the Liuxian Sect. I want an explanation!"

"Yes!"

Liu Lu accepted the order. Song Jiuming stepped closer and gently patted his back.

"Old Liu, what's happened has happened. No amount of comforting words from me will change it. Think practically. Find a few younger women and try again... This time, listen to me. While your body is still strong, have a few more children. I guarantee the future of your descendants!"

Eyes reddened, Liu Lu nodded.

Inside, however, he could only sigh. Have several more children and raise them to adulthood? By then, who knew whether Song Jiuming would even still be alive? There was no place more merciless than the halls of power.

The Song clan might look glorious now, but once Song Jiuming was gone, who knew what shape it would be in? A great house could fall in the space of a single morning... The courtyard where Shang Chaozong and Feng Ruonan lived was the principal courtyard of the entire mountain estate. By midmorning, several people had gathered there again. Shang Shuqing had changed into neat, close-fitting travel clothes. Niu Youdao could not help looking at her twice. What was this woman dressed like that for?

Was she planning to come with them? Shang Chaozong and the other two, meanwhile, could not stop glancing at Yuan Fang, who stood beside Niu Youdao and Yuan Gang. They looked as though they wanted to say something but hesitated.

When it became clear Niu Youdao had no intention of sending Yuan Fang away, Lan Ruoting finally could not hold back.

"Master Dao, the place we're going is rather secret."

His gaze flicked toward Yuan Fang, making the hint obvious. Niu Youdao understood and smiled.

"He's one of our own brothers. There's nothing to worry about. I intend to take him with us."

Yuan Fang blinked. He still had no idea where they were going or what they were doing. All he knew was that Niu Youdao had told him to arrange the matters in his hands because they would be leaving for a period of time. Since Niu Youdao had already put it that way, there was little Shang Chaozong's side could say. Lan Ruoting walked to one side and patted several large bundles stacked on a table.

"These contain the dry provisions and other supplies prepared for the journey. We need to take them with us."

Niu Youdao went over and checked. They really were filled with provisions and other travel necessities. Suspicion entered his face.

"This much food? Is it far?"

By his estimate, there were at least several days of rations here. It was easily enough to leave Canglu County, even enough to travel beyond Qingshan Commandery. Had they not said the secret realm was in Canglu County?

Shang Chaozong said, "Master Dao will understand once you arrive. Qing'er will accompany you."

Niu Youdao looked surprised.

"The Commandery Princess is coming too?"

Shang Chaozong said, "One of the three of us must accompany you to that place, otherwise certain things will be inconvenient. Master Dao will understand later. Unfortunately, Mr. Lan and I are tied down by too many affairs to leave for long without arousing suspicion, so Qing'er will have to make the trip. She's a physically weaker woman, so I'll have to trouble Master Dao to look after her along the way."

Niu Youdao nodded. From another perspective, having Shang Shuqing beside him as a hostage of sorts eased one category of concern.

He reminded them, "You'll also need to conceal this properly from the Princess Consort."

Lan Ruoting said, "Don't worry. We've already prepared an explanation to cover things. We shouldn't delay. While the Princess Consort is occupied drilling troops, we should leave as quickly as possible..."

Only after the final instructions were given did Niu Youdao learn they would not be leaving through the estate gates at all. They were taking a secret passage. The entrance was inside a well in the rear courtyard. The well was not fed by a spring.

It was a storage well, dug to hold water in case an enemy cut off the estate's supply during wartime, something like a cistern. There were several similar wells throughout the estate.

Filling them was easy enough. A stream ran through the estate, and a bamboo pipe could be used to divert water directly into them. Prince Ning had plainly put considerable thought into the design of this mountain estate. Each person chose a bundle and slung it over a shoulder. They reached the rear hall exit but did not immediately go outside. Lan Ruoting had already posted hidden sentries around the area to warn them if anyone approached.

Even so, to avoid drawing attention, he suggested they leave one at a time. Niu Youdao signaled Yuan Gang to go first and open the mechanism to the secret passage.

[End of Chapter 89]