Volume II, The Great Summer Dynasty Chapter 24: The beginning of the murder
While the earth is sleeping, darkness fills the sky, and bright stars shine like countless indifferent eyes, quietly overlooking the passage of time and the fate of the world. For the first time in forty-six years, the winter season in the land was marked by heavy snow, and the festival of lanterns in Yuan served as a tribute to the Emperor, bringing temporary joy after the first wave of crisis.
Frost covered the entire city. The old Wei courtyard and Sheng Jin Gong were filled with paladins, and carriages lined the main streets, now preparing to move like a river, illuminated by street lanterns throughout the night. The history of Huang is one of the most excruciating and agonizing periods, fortified by the blood of nobles from the cloudy plateau. The icy waters of the Ganges flowed down throughout the Great Summer dynasty, straight to the heart of the empire. Vagabonds, unsettled wanderers, traveled like nomads, angering the empire's nobles. The authority of Jagged (a period of unrestrained activity) was questioned and violated, and another war was secretly brewing, though a truce had been agreed upon. Yet, someone had to pay the price for this failure to maintain the empire's dignity.
An imperial edict was issued from the Golden Palace, and palace messengers were dispatched to deliver it to the empire's subjects. After passing through the old Wei courtyard, the edict made its way to Lagerstroemia Square, Jiuwei Main Street, and finally to Huang Cheng Tian, or Huang Tian, the Shrine of the main gate of heaven and earth. From there, it traveled all the way to the border on a stormy, quiet night, while the people slept soundly.
"Sixth sister,"
"You're too loud, little eighth sister," Chu Qiao whispered, covering her lips. Her eyes wide, she glanced around and then took out her arm bag, handing it to her small eighth sister. In a low voice, she said, "If I'm not able to go with you, flee through the back door of the horse's yard. The guards will notice the gap by tomorrow. There's an hour before dinner when no one will be on guard. Here's some tangled gold and a forged statement you can use to escape the city. Don't forget the walking grass standard—if someone catches you stepping off the grass, leave quickly. Don't fret over me. If I don't come at all, don't wait for me. Promise me you'll escape the city."
The small eighth sister eagerly grabbed Chu Qiao's hand and hurriedly said, "What do you plan to do? Why won't you come with me? Is it for revenge? I can help you. I don't want to go alone."
"Did you forget obedience?" Chu Qiao placed a hand on the child's head and coldly replied, "There are only two of us left in the Jingjia family. I'm your older sister, and you need to listen to me. As long as we're alive, our Jing family's descendants will endure. If I die, you can seek revenge for me."
"Sixth sister..."
"Little eighth sister, listen to me. Once you're out of the city, go east to the Tang Dynasty's border. Remember to pass through three cities. I'm giving you three days to wait for me. If I can't leave immediately, take it as a sign to go on your own. Be at peace. This is my promise: once I escape, my first priority will be to find you."
The small eighth sister's eyes reddened as she bit her lip, then suddenly threw her arms around Chu Qiao's waist, hugging her tightly. "Sixth sister, I have no choice but to trust that you'll escape after me. I believe in you."
Chu Qiao's heart ached, but she smiled bitterly, clinging to the child's shoulders. "Don't worry. Once we leave this place, no one will dare bully us again."
The cold, westerly snow outside the window felt bleak and unforgiving.
The next day, as usual, Chu Qiao went to wait in Zhuge Yue's room but was informed that the fourth young master had left early and wouldn't be attending his usual government duties.
After hearing this, Chu Qiao turned toward the main courtyard. Who would've thought that before reaching Castle Peak, she would see Zhuge Yue's seventh escort, a young guard under fifteen years old. He looked at her with a cold expression and said, "Master told me, no one—not even the stars (her military codename)—should leave Castle Peak."
Chu Qiao was momentarily surprised. She didn't know what Zhuge Yue had told him but responded with a smile. "Big brother, who said I'm leaving the courtyard? I'm just heading to the kitchen to check if the new tea is fresh." With that, she turned and walked toward the kitchen.
Zhu Qi, still staring at her, walked away with his usual military nonchalance, thinking it was a perfect moment.
Meanwhile, children from the kitchen approached Zhu Qi and asked, "Have you seen the star child?"
"She went to pick up tea leaves," Zhu Qi replied with a frown. "Is she still doing such tasks?"
The little maidservants raised their eyebrows and responded with disdain, "Unlike Jin Chen or Jin Jiao, who abuse their power, the star child doesn't."
As clouds cleared, revealing blue skies, the day promised good weather.
After slipping away from Zhu Qi's watch, Chu Qiao briskly walked toward her former courtyard, carefully choosing the most secretive paths. Suddenly, a shadow ran out. Startled, Chu Qiao frowned and recognized the figure.
"I don't mean to alarm you," said the young boy, Feng Shuijiao, "but I'm from the royal family of Yan Shi Zi. Today, I've come to deliver a letter."
"A letter?" Chu Qiao raised her brow. "How did you know I'd be here?"
Feng Shuijiao smiled smugly. "The world (Yan Shi Zi) knows how to find a way, even in secret."
Chu Qiao, unimpressed, scoffed. "You and the world must think highly of yourselves."
"What message do you have?" she asked.
"The world will return to Yanbei tomorrow morning. He requests your company tonight at the same place you met him last time."
"Back to Yanbei?" Chu Qiao frowned. "What's going on? Why is he being recalled?"
"I'm not sure of the specifics, but the elders have summoned him. The world wants to take you with him."
Chu Qiao nodded and said, "Tell him I can't sneak out easily. He should choose another maidservant. I have no reason to accompany him."
Feng Shuijiao smiled. "The world said if you don't want to go, no one can force you. But it's his message, not mine." With that, Feng Shuijiao disappeared into the secret hideaways of Merlin.
Chu Qiao carefully continued her journey and eventually arrived at Zhuge Huai's foreign housekeeper's courtyard, where no gatekeepers were present.