Chapter 429: Good Little Sister

They came in a hurry and left in a hurry.

The so-called medical visit had amounted to little more than going through the motions.

The carriage soon returned to the Fan Residence.

What surprised Zheng Fan slightly was that the steward accompanying them did not have him disembark at the main gate.

Instead he ordered the side gate opened and had the carriage driven directly inside.

The Fan Residence was enormous.

Its layout was also extremely rational.

And by “rational”—

Zheng Fan meant from a military perspective.

In his eyes, when the Fan ancestors first constructed this great estate, they must have intended it to serve as both residence and fortress.

Only after more than a century of peace most of the original military structures had either become useless decorations or been demolished and rebuilt.

The carriage road circling the inner residence, however, had been preserved.

And Qingfang Studio occupied a particularly convenient position.

So the carriage could be driven almost directly to Qingfang Studio’s side entrance.

In fact, it could enter the courtyard itself.

Once the carriage rolled inside, the steward merely stood outside and reported softly:

“Sir.

“We have arrived.”

Then, without waiting for Zheng Fan to answer the steward led the servants away.

He left the carriage sitting inside Qingfang Studio.

Why not have them disembark at the Fan Residence gate?

Because if they did what about Liu Ruqing?

Hand her to maids and servants?

Or make the physician carry Liu Ruqing all the way back to Qingfang Studio in his arms?

How embarrassing would that be?

So the steward’s arrangement could truly be called perfectly attentive.

Ultimately it came down to two words.

**The details.**

However, just as Count Zheng prepared to carry the “unconscious” Liu Ruqing out of the carriage—

A’Ming walked over.

From outside, he said:

“The weather really is freezing.

“I truly hope April comes quickly and spring warms the earth.”

Count Zheng stepped down from the carriage.

Alone.

At the same time, he instructed He Chunlai and Chen Daole nearby:

“Have the Fan household send for a physician to examine her.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

Then, Zheng Fan walked toward the room with A’Ming.

His eyes asked:

*How long has she been here?*

A’Ming made a chopping gesture with one hand.

*Just arrived.*

Zheng Fan released a long breath.

*Good.*

A’Ming nodded.

*Exactly.*

Zheng Fan then raised two fingers.

*And the cover story?*

A’Ming nodded again.

*Watertight.*

Zheng Fan reached out.

He patted A’Ming on the shoulder.

A’Ming stopped walking and said aloud:

“Master, what a coincidence.

“Siniang only just arrived and Master came back immediately.

“This subordinate told Siniang earlier that Master probably would not return until the afternoon.”

“This is probably what they call—hearts linked by mutual understanding.”

A’Ming stopped there.

Zheng Fan pushed open the door and entered.

There was nobody in the main room.

He continued into the inner chamber.

Steam filled the air.

The bathing pool had already been filled with hot water.

A graceful figure sat inside, soaking.

Who else could it be but Siniang?

“Master.

“Life here really is comfortable.

“Should we arrange our own residence this way in the future?”

Siniang naturally knew who had entered.

“We can’t afford to be this wasteful,” Zheng Fan said.

“That is true.”

“How are the arrangements outside?”

“The barbarian troops have been positioned at the foot of Qishan to receive us.

“The Jin and Yan troops have been divided.

“One portion is stationed inside the imperial villa.

“Another portion has been placed inside Zhou County.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Master is always so polite.

“I heard from A’Ming that Master went outside the residence to treat a young woman surnamed Liu?”

“Her younger brother.”

“A’Ming said she belongs to the Fan Clan Grandmother’s side?”

“Most likely.”

Many times change only the emphasis of a story slightly and its flavor changed completely.

There could not be any problem with Liu Ruqing’s identity.

She was the wife of Fan Zhengwen’s fourth younger brother.

Someone with a public, verifiable identity.

At the same time, Fan Zhengwen was not stupid enough to place some spy-like figure beside himself.

That was a serious taboo.

He had no reason to do it.

Fan Zhengwen had married Little Sixth’s maternal aunt.

What he was doing now had two goals.

First help Zheng Fan abduct the Chu princess.

Second build a good relationship with Zheng Fan.

The first meant:

**I have rendered service to Great Yan.**

The second meant:

**I am also aboard this ship.**

No matter how one thought about it, Fan Zhengwen would not add such a needless complication.

But once Liu Ruqing was connected to the old woman—

Count Zheng instantly transformed into someone who had been “playing along with the scheme” and “feeding himself to the tiger.”

“A’Ming said that old woman is a Mystic Cultivator?”

“Yes.

“She possesses some real methods.”

Zheng Fan sighed with emotion.

Siniang asked:

“Master, could she affect the situation?”

Zheng Fan shook his head.

“From the look of things, Fan Zhengwen should have suppressed her.

“She probably will not come out and ruin the larger plan.

“But we still need to be careful.

“Some people cultivate mystical arts for too long—and become prone to extremes.”

“I understand.

“These days I have been enjoying myself inside the Fan Residence while you’ve been working yourself ragged outside.

“Come.

“I’ll scrub your back.”

Zheng Fan slowly removed his clothes.

Then stepped into the bathing pool.

...

Happy hours always passed quickly.

After the bath, Zheng Fan held Siniang in his arms and took an afternoon nap.

By the time night fell, Siniang rose.

She needed to leave.

There were still outside arrangements that required her attention.

Xue San alone might not be able to handle everything, especially with deployments spread across several locations.

There was none of that clichéd nonsense about arriving silently and departing just as silently.

Siniang gently stroked Zheng Fan’s face.

And tenderly woke him.

Zheng Fan opened his eyes.

He stretched.

“This bed really is comfortable.”

“Master, the mattress is filled with precious medicinal herbs.

“They calm the spirit and help induce sleep.”

“Ho.

“No wonder.”

“Master, this servant will leave first.

“Master can remain here and continue waiting for news.”

“Good.

“Watch your safety.”

“Mm, Master.”

Siniang left.

To avoid misunderstandings or alarming the Fan Residence guards, she asked a steward to personally escort her out.

At that moment, A’Ming, He Chunlai, and Chen Daole were no longer sitting on the roof.

They had moved into the pavilion to avoid suspicion.

The three men continued drinking.

A’Ming genuinely liked alcohol.

He Chunlai had always possessed excellent tolerance.

Chen Daole could not drink particularly well but he liked the atmosphere of drinking.

Every so often, he would raise his cup and begin reciting something about singing before wine and how short life was.

“Looks like they’re very busy outside,” He Chunlai said.

Both men knew Siniang’s identity.

She was both subordinate and mistress of the household.

Chen Daole was already slightly drunk.

He asked:

“If everyone outside is so busy, why are we still being kept here inside the Fan Residence?”

A’Ming took a sip of red wine.

He gently swirled the wine cup.

Then answered:

“So you can see— just how damned useless the three of us must be.”

“...”

He Chunlai.

“...”

Chen Daole.

...

Xiayong was not a small city.

Strictly speaking—

Xiayong was not on the front line.

So it was not some heavily militarized strategic stronghold.

There was no curfew.

That meant even at this hour, the streets still remained fairly lively.

Siniang had already disguised herself.

After crossing this street she would reach the southern gate.

The officer guarding the southern gate belonged to the Fan Clan’s network.

With a Fan Clan token, Siniang could pass freely.

Because she did not merely need to leave the city herself.

She also needed to purchase certain materials that might become useful and take them along.

At that moment, two young and beautiful women walked past Siniang.

Siniang caught the fragrance rising from their clothes.

Count Zheng disliked using such things.

But Siniang was a woman.

And she had managed businesses in this field for years.

Her ability to distinguish perfumes and fragrances was naturally exceptional including the “luxury goods” of this world.

This fragrance came from **Great Marsh agarwood.**

Extremely precious.

Judging by the way the scent dispersed, the material had probably been used to fumigate the two women’s clothing.

An extraordinarily precious incense used merely to scent garments.

That was extravagance layered upon extravagance.

Great Marsh agarwood itself was produced only in minute quantities.

Most of it was monopolized by the imperial clan of Chu.

The last time Siniang had managed to obtain a piece was after Zheng Fan looted the Jin imperial palace.

The Chu imperial clan liked using the stuff as gifts.

During diplomatic exchanges it was often included.

Siniang hesitated for an instant.

She stopped walking.

But immediately afterward she cleared her throat.

Spat onto the ground.

Stamped her feet.

Then cursed:

“Goddamn it.

“This weather is cold enough to kill a man!”

At the moment, Siniang had disguised herself as a bearded man.

When she had first prepared to stop, however she had sharply sensed a group of plainclothes experts around those two young women.

On both rooftops.

Following at ground level.

Coordinated front and rear.

No fewer than twenty guards.

And every one of them possessed real skill.

Had Siniang displayed even the slightest abnormality earlier those guards might immediately have become alert.

With her experience naturally, she would never leave such an obvious flaw.

Still after this discovery, Siniang was no longer in any hurry to leave the city.

She wanted to continue following.

Continue looking.

Only she did not dare remain too close.

She deliberately kept some distance.

Because of the Fan Clan’s presence, Xiayong had become unusually prosperous.

The Fan Clan’s food, clothing, daily expenses, and extravagance had raised the standard of the entire county city.

Its commercial networks also attracted branch offices from many major Chu merchant houses.

So the night market remained exceptionally lively.

The two young women wandered like ordinary girls out shopping.

Looking here.

Looking there.

Occasionally pulling out silver to buy a few little objects.

Siniang observed them from the shadows.

With her eye and experience tiny details often revealed enormous amounts of useful information.

What was shabby pretense?

What was true wealth?

What was forcing oneself to look rich?

And what was effortless nobility leaking naturally through every gesture?

The woman in red looked bold and easygoing.

But in truth she constantly flattered the sweet, innocent-looking girl beside her.

The flattery was extremely well measured.

It made the red-clothed woman look straightforward and frank yet still left the other girl feeling comfortable.

A high-level practitioner of sycophancy.

Thanks to their Master the Demon Kings had been forced over these past several years to intensively study the **philosophy of flattery.**

And why did Master keep winning the favor of important figures wherever he went?

Because Master himself was practically a grandmaster of the craft.

The red-clothed girl was still slightly immature.

But against this innocent-looking companion the effect was perfectly sufficient.

The sweet-looking girl appeared lively in every movement.

Yet every step contained restraint.

Clearly, she had spent years living under extremely strict rules.

At first, Siniang had only intended to look.

But the longer she watched the more she felt the sweet-looking girl’s identity might be extraordinary.

The incense was the first signal.

The surrounding guards provided confirmation.

And the body language and tiny details Siniang observed from the girl herself completed the argument.

By a Demon King’s instinct—

Siniang felt she had discovered a very large fish.

Perhaps even **a white dragon wearing common clothes.**

The two women seemed to grow tired from walking.

They entered a teahouse.

It specialized in Jiangnan flavors from the State of Qian.

Its entire style revolved around pastries and tea.

Qian merchants doing business outside their homeland or truthfully, even merchants from other places loved attaching some “Qian-style” label to their shops and then inventing layers of refinement around it.

That was because the peoples of the eastern states generally agreed on one thing:

Qian people knew how to live well.

They lived delicately.

So this teahouse was basically the equivalent of putting a café in the middle of a street full of noisy food stalls.

Once the two women entered their guards began entering in separate groups.

Siniang used the opportunity to slip into the rear courtyard.

While the pair had been shopping, the guards had spread out in an orderly pattern.

Their protection had been almost airtight.

But the guards could not possibly predict when the two young mistresses would become tired.

Nor could they know in advance which shop the women might choose to enter.

That created a gap in the security pattern.

And this was precisely the opening Siniang had been waiting for.

A chance to close the distance.

If the two women had simply finished shopping and returned home—

Siniang knew there would have been no second opportunity tonight.

And she could not afford to waste the entire night following one uncertain target.

At the end of the day—

Siniang had noticed them only because of a woman’s instinct.

...

Inside a private room on the second floor—

“Come.

“Suji has its main shop in Shangjing.

“Their pastries are first-rate.

“Eat a little more.

“If you find something especially delicious, we’ll order several extra boxes to take back.”

“Thank you, Elder Sister Mi.”

“Why are you still being so polite?

“At the end of the day, being able to accompany Little Sister for tea and food is an honor for me.”

“Elder Sister is joking again.”

“Hehe.”

The sweet-looking girl leaned against the window.

She looked down at the street below.

“Ju’an City is bigger than Xiayong, isn’t it?”

“Of course.

“But truthfully, although Ju’an City is larger and has more people—when it comes to fun things and good food, it really cannot compare with Xiayong.

“Xiayong has the Fan Clan.

“That family is basically the purse of your future husband’s household.

“They are best at enjoying life.

“Only, you have not married yet.

“Sneaking out to look around and have fun this time has already broken enough rules.

“We shouldn’t disturb other people further.

“Otherwise, we could send a calling card to the Fan Residence and have the famous Twelve Phoenix Hairpins come accompany us.

“We would certainly have a wonderful time.”

“Twelve Phoenix Hairpins?”

“A country saying about the Fan Clan.

“They say all twelve are talented, clever, and exceptionally beautiful young women.

“The Fan household possesses enormous wealth.

“Naturally it can raise daughters with a noble air.”

“Mm.”

“But don’t worry.

“I already investigated your future husband for you.

“Qu Peiluo.

“His reputation is very good.

“They say he possesses something of the bearing of the former Pillar of State.

“And with the Regent valuing the Qu Clan so highly—your husband inheriting the office of Pillar of State in the future is practically guaranteed.”

The sweet-looking girl smiled faintly.

But her mood visibly dropped.

“Aiya, aiya.”

The red-clothed girl realized she had misspoken.

When a marriage approached, anxiety was inevitable.

“Fine, fine.

“My fault.

“My fault for saying too much.”

“Little Sister isn’t blaming Elder Sister.

“It’s only that when I think about getting married soon—

“I feel nervous inside.”

At that moment, a female attendant pushed open the door and entered.

She carried a tray filled with pastries.

“The pastries are here.

“Come, come.

“Eat.”

The red-clothed woman immediately warmed the atmosphere again.

The female attendant crouched.

She placed the plates onto the low table one by one.

There were guards downstairs.

On the roof.

Outside the private room.

But Siniang had already slipped through them all.

Her disguise techniques were simply too refined.

They changed not merely the face.

But posture.

Bearing.

Temperament.

Everything.

“Come, good little sister.

“Try this one.”

After arranging the pastries, Siniang stood and reached for the teapot.

The instant she leaned forward threads from her hand wrapped directly around the sweet-looking girl’s pale neck.

The girl had only just picked up a pastry with her chopsticks.

She froze in utter shock.

Unable to speak.

The woman in red instinctively looked toward Siniang.

Her hand immediately moved downward.

But how could Siniang possibly give her time to react?

At the end of the day neither girl possessed martial skill.

If Siniang somehow overturned the boat even against the two of them at this distance she would truly have disgraced the name of Demon King.

In an instant several threads bound the red-clothed woman’s hands.

At the same time, Siniang flipped sideways and seized her throat.

Her voice dropped low.

“The Silver-Armored Guard of Great Qian is here.

“If you want to live—do not make a sound.”

The red-clothed woman’s brows immediately tightened.

Siniang caught that detail.

Not fear.

Confusion.

Which meant the woman’s status was even higher than Siniang had expected.

High enough that she believed the Silver-Armored Guard should never dare attack her.

Their own guards surrounded the entire room.

So Siniang acted decisively.

The moment she caught that clue, thread wrapped around the red-clothed woman’s neck.

Then, with a flick of her fingers three threads pierced directly through the woman’s arms.

Truthfully, the wounds were not especially painful.

Nothing compared with being stabbed by a saber or pierced by an arrow.

But visually the impact was terrifying.

More than enough to crush the nerves of two sheltered young women in an instant.

At the same time—

Siniang loosened the thread around the sweet-looking girl’s neck slightly.

Enough to let her speak with difficulty.

The girl forced out:

“Don’t...

“Please don’t hurt... the p-Princess...”

“...”

The red-clothed woman.

Siniang’s breathing abruptly quickened.

**Princess?**

The princess she had been obsessing over capturing for Master.

The princess she had spent days running everywhere and arranging an entire operation to abduct on her wedding day had somehow appeared in front of her this easily?

The sweet-looking girl continued:

“Please...

“Please... don’t hurt... the Prin—”

Siniang formed her hand like a knife.

She struck the red-clothed woman on the side of the neck.

The woman immediately lost consciousness.

Then, Siniang pulled the sweet-looking girl straight into her arms.

She whispered:

“Come.

“Little Sister.

“Let Elder Sister give you a hug.”

The girl froze.

Their faces were nearly pressed together.

Siniang could clearly feel the warmth of the other woman’s skin.

Then, Siniang extended her tongue.

And licked lightly beneath the girl’s earlobe.

The sweet-looking girl shuddered.

A smile appeared on Siniang’s face.

She leaned close to the girl’s ear.

Blew two gentle breaths.

Then whispered:

“Little Sister.

“Don’t try playing schemes with Elder Sister.

“You’re still far too green.

“Don’t worry.

“We have plenty of days ahead of us.

“Elder Sister will teach you the rules properly.”

————

[End of Chapter 429]