~ EXPOSED ~
Yue Wang pondered deeply: “That is indeed a solution, but would Ling Wang and the Li family believe that Jin Wang still harbors ambitions? After all, his current state...”
Mu Yunyao blinked: “Jin Wang’s legs and eyes aren’t beyond cure. I’ll have the Poisonous Lady find a trustworthy person to infiltrate his inner circle and assist with his leg and eye treatments. As long as there’s hope for recovery, given Jin Wang’s temperament and character, he won’t accept defeat so easily. Even if he doesn’t compete for the throne, he’ll find ways to exact revenge.”
Yue Wang pondered for a long moment before nodding in agreement. “Very well, so be it. But Yao’er, this task may seem simple, yet its execution is exceedingly tricky. Neither Jin Wang, the Li family, nor Ling Wang is an ordinary man. The slightest misstep could alert them to something amiss, and it might well backfire. Therefore, utmost caution is required. The selection of personnel must be calculated. Anyone with even a shred of doubt must be excluded.
Additionally, we need constant monitoring of our arrangements. Any changes must be made immediately. We absolutely cannot force things.”
Mu Yunyao nodded.
“Rest assured, Fourth Master. I’ll think it through carefully and consult with you whenever necessary.”
“Hmm. Yao’er, do not fret too much. If all else fails, we can still employ the method I mentioned earlier. I will discuss it with Second Imperial Brother and instruct him to keep a watchful eye on the Li family. Should anything go awry, or should there be any upheaval in the Northern Frontier, our Dali Dynasty may prioritize stability, but we are not afraid of a fight.”
Mu Yunyao nodded, a reassuring smile touching her lips. “Very well.”
By the time they finished speaking, the carriage had pulled up before the gates of Ni Yun Fang.
Yue Wang helped Mu Yunyao down from the carriage, where Liu Liang was already waiting at the entrance.
“My lady.”
“Liu Liang, let’s discuss this inside.” Mu Yunyao hurried into Ni Yun Fang. “What’s the latest on Qiming?”
Liu Liang shook his head. “After the message was sent, we lost all contact with Qiming.”
Mu Yunyao’s brows furrowed. “Before he went to Ling Wang’s side, we agreed that if anything went wrong, he should prioritize his own safety above all else. The intelligence he delivered this time is crucial. There’s no need for him to continue risking himself. Send him the signal—tell him to withdraw immediately. I won’t tolerate him facing any danger.”
“I’ve already sent the signal, but Qiming hasn’t responded. I suspect he’s been exposed,” Liu Liang’s tone grew somber.
Mu Yunyao’s heart sank. After a moment’s thought, she spoke coldly, “Wei Jiu, has the Li family deployed any personnel?”
Wei Jiu materialized abruptly, kneeling to report: “Miss, we have personnel, but their understanding of the Li family’s internal affairs is limited. Further investigation is required.”
“Dispatch additional agents to monitor the Li family closely. Liu Liang, hand Qi Ming’s portrait to Wei Jiu. I will have him arrange for Qi Ming’s rescue.”
“Miss, when entering Ling Wang’s residence, Qiming understood the stakes. Even if captured, he would never betray you. Now that you intend to confront the Li family, if necessary, consider sacrificing him.” Liu Liang’s expression remained impassive, as if discussing a trivial matter.
Mu Yunyao paused, then shook her head. “Liu Liang, strictly speaking, Qi Ming is your subordinate. I didn’t know your true identity, nor why he followed you, but all this time, he’s been utterly loyal and accomplished remarkable feats. Both professionally and personally, I cannot abandon him like this.”
Liu Liang bowed his head, his eyes hollow and desolate. “No. I am Miss’s servant, and so is Qiming. Miss has the right to decide our fate. Not only him—this servant is also willing to sacrifice his life for Miss at any moment.”
Yue Wang lifted his gaze, his eyes sweeping intently over Liu Liang. An inexplicable emotion flashed rapidly in his eyes, but he remained silent.
Mu Yunyao opened her mouth, knowing she couldn’t change Liu Liang’s resolve. She could only say no more: “Very well. I’ve decided to rescue Qiming. Neither his life nor yours will be easily forsaken. Liu Liang, make discreet arrangements. Exercise utmost caution. If the Li family truly captured Qi Ming, they would spare his life for interrogation, then watch for any rescue attempts to uncover his true identity. Therefore, we absolutely must not arouse their suspicion or draw attention to ourselves.”
“Understood, Miss. Rest assured, I’ll coordinate with Wei Jiu’s operations.”
“Good.”
Just as Liu Liang was about to withdraw, Mu Yunyao suddenly recalled something: “What’s the current status of Yi Bao Xuan?”
“Yi Bao Xuan is operating normally. Word is they’ve even expanded several branches.”
“Compile a recent status report on Yi Bao Xuan. If Qi Ming truly met with misfortune, Yi Bao Xuan shouldn’t be this calm.” If Qi Ming is unharmed but currently unable to relay messages, her hasty dispatch of personnel might indeed alert the enemy.
“All records concerning Yi Bao Xuanare are archived. I’ll retrieve them immediately.”
After Liu Liang went to fetch the records, Yue Wang spoke up: “Yao’er, you certainly got your money’s worth with this subordinate. Such talent acquired for merely six taels of silver.”
“Acquiring him was pure coincidence, and the name Liu Liang was chosen on a whim. I never imagined his nature would be so unyielding. Such steadfastness is exceedingly rare—truly invaluable.” In this world of restless ambition, where everyone scrambles to climb higher, someone who stays loyal by her side for just six taels of silver—such steadfast commitment is truly admirable.
“Indeed. Possessing profound martial arts skills, commanding trustworthy subordinates, and carrying himself with unique grace—such a man should be extraordinary wherever he goes.”
“Fourth Master, why this sudden interest in Liu Liang?” Yue Wang had seen Liu Liang before, but had never delved deeper.
“Nothing much, just a passing thought. Yao’er, you needn’t concern yourself.”
Mu Yunyao wanted to say something, but Liu Liang, who had gone to fetch the ledger, had already returned. She swallowed her words, took the ledger, and began to scrutinize it. The more she looked, the deeper the frown between her brows grew. “Fourth Master, take a look.”
“Yi Bao Xuan has opened a branch in Heilongjiang.”
“Yes. I’ve been too busy lately to pay attention to Yi Bao Xuan. I had no idea they’d even established a storefront in Heilongjiang.”
A cold gleam flashed in Yue Wang’s eyes. “I recall you mentioning that Yi Bao Xuan’s founding purpose was to undermine Ni Yun Fang?”
“Correct. Every Yi Bao Xuan branch was established near Ni Yun Fang, precisely to leverage its reputation and rapidly expand our business.”
“I recall there is no Ni Yun Fang in Heilongjiang.”
Mu Yunyao nodded. Ni Yun Fang prioritized steady growth, as training embroiderers required time. Their expansion was deliberate and deliberate. It was unlikely they had even taught embroidery techniques in Heilongjiang, let alone opened a shop there. The sudden appearance of a Yi Bao Xuan branch was highly unusual.
Mu Yunyao nodded.
“Rest assured, Fourth Master. I’ll think it through carefully and consult with you whenever necessary.”
“Hmm. Yao’er, do not fret too much. If all else fails, we can still employ the method I mentioned earlier. I will discuss it with Second Imperial Brother and instruct him to keep a watchful eye on the Li family. Should anything go awry, or should there be any upheaval in the Northern Frontier, our Dali Dynasty may prioritize stability, but we are not afraid of a fight.”
Mu Yunyao nodded, a reassuring smile touching her lips. “Very well.”
By the time they finished speaking, the carriage had pulled up before the gates of Ni Yun Fang.
Yue Wang helped Mu Yunyao down from the carriage, where Liu Liang was already waiting at the entrance.
“My lady.”
“Liu Liang, let’s discuss this inside.” Mu Yunyao hurried into Ni Yun Fang. “What’s the latest on Qiming?”
Liu Liang shook his head. “After the message was sent, we lost all contact with Qiming.”
Mu Yunyao’s brows furrowed. “Before he went to Ling Wang’s side, we agreed that if anything went wrong, he should prioritize his own safety above all else. The intelligence he delivered this time is crucial. There’s no need for him to continue risking himself. Send him the signal—tell him to withdraw immediately. I won’t tolerate him facing any danger.”
“I’ve already sent the signal, but Qiming hasn’t responded. I suspect he’s been exposed,” Liu Liang’s tone grew somber.
Mu Yunyao’s heart sank. After a moment’s thought, she spoke coldly, “Wei Jiu, has the Li family deployed any personnel?”
Wei Jiu materialized abruptly, kneeling to report: “Miss, we have personnel, but their understanding of the Li family’s internal affairs is limited. Further investigation is required.”
“Dispatch additional agents to monitor the Li family closely. Liu Liang, hand Qi Ming’s portrait to Wei Jiu. I will have him arrange for Qi Ming’s rescue.”
“Miss, when entering Ling Wang’s residence, Qiming understood the stakes. Even if captured, he would never betray you. Now that you intend to confront the Li family, if necessary, consider sacrificing him.” Liu Liang’s expression remained impassive, as if discussing a trivial matter.
Mu Yunyao paused, then shook her head. “Liu Liang, strictly speaking, Qi Ming is your subordinate. I didn’t know your true identity, nor why he followed you, but all this time, he’s been utterly loyal and accomplished remarkable feats. Both professionally and personally, I cannot abandon him like this.”
Liu Liang bowed his head, his eyes hollow and desolate. “No. I am Miss’s servant, and so is Qiming. Miss has the right to decide our fate. Not only him—this servant is also willing to sacrifice his life for Miss at any moment.”
Yue Wang lifted his gaze, his eyes sweeping intently over Liu Liang. An inexplicable emotion flashed rapidly in his eyes, but he remained silent.
Mu Yunyao opened her mouth, knowing she couldn’t change Liu Liang’s resolve. She could only say no more: “Very well. I’ve decided to rescue Qiming. Neither his life nor yours will be easily forsaken. Liu Liang, make discreet arrangements. Exercise utmost caution. If the Li family truly captured Qi Ming, they would spare his life for interrogation, then watch for any rescue attempts to uncover his true identity. Therefore, we absolutely must not arouse their suspicion or draw attention to ourselves.”
“Understood, Miss. Rest assured, I’ll coordinate with Wei Jiu’s operations.”
“Good.”
Just as Liu Liang was about to withdraw, Mu Yunyao suddenly recalled something: “What’s the current status of Yi Bao Xuan?”
“Yi Bao Xuan is operating normally. Word is they’ve even expanded several branches.”
“Compile a recent status report on Yi Bao Xuan. If Qi Ming truly met with misfortune, Yi Bao Xuan shouldn’t be this calm.” If Qi Ming is unharmed but currently unable to relay messages, her hasty dispatch of personnel might indeed alert the enemy.
“All records concerning Yi Bao Xuanare are archived. I’ll retrieve them immediately.”
After Liu Liang went to fetch the records, Yue Wang spoke up: “Yao’er, you certainly got your money’s worth with this subordinate. Such talent acquired for merely six taels of silver.”
“Acquiring him was pure coincidence, and the name Liu Liang was chosen on a whim. I never imagined his nature would be so unyielding. Such steadfastness is exceedingly rare—truly invaluable.” In this world of restless ambition, where everyone scrambles to climb higher, someone who stays loyal by her side for just six taels of silver—such steadfast commitment is truly admirable.
“Indeed. Possessing profound martial arts skills, commanding trustworthy subordinates, and carrying himself with unique grace—such a man should be extraordinary wherever he goes.”
“Fourth Master, why this sudden interest in Liu Liang?” Yue Wang had seen Liu Liang before, but had never delved deeper.
“Nothing much, just a passing thought. Yao’er, you needn’t concern yourself.”
Mu Yunyao wanted to say something, but Liu Liang, who had gone to fetch the ledger, had already returned. She swallowed her words, took the ledger, and began to scrutinize it. The more she looked, the deeper the frown between her brows grew. “Fourth Master, take a look.”
“Yi Bao Xuan has opened a branch in Heilongjiang.”
“Yes. I’ve been too busy lately to pay attention to Yi Bao Xuan. I had no idea they’d even established a storefront in Heilongjiang.”
A cold gleam flashed in Yue Wang’s eyes. “I recall you mentioning that Yi Bao Xuan’s founding purpose was to undermine Ni Yun Fang?”
“Correct. Every Yi Bao Xuan branch was established near Ni Yun Fang, precisely to leverage its reputation and rapidly expand our business.”
“I recall there is no Ni Yun Fang in Heilongjiang.”
Mu Yunyao nodded. Ni Yun Fang prioritized steady growth, as training embroiderers required time. Their expansion was deliberate and deliberate. It was unlikely they had even taught embroidery techniques in Heilongjiang, let alone opened a shop there. The sudden appearance of a Yi Bao Xuan branch was highly unusual.
To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. 💕
0 comments:
Post a Comment