At least becoming Xie Sui’an’s companion and having Bingzhu Division’s protection meant the Xie family wouldn’t easily take her life. Even if she acknowledged the identity of “Goose,” hiding in the back courtyard of Wangxue Hollow, nothing major would necessarily find her.
Just thinking this, Xie Sui’an’s next words shattered Nanyi’s fantasy:
“Sister-in-law, the next mission will only be more difficult.”
Nanyi was stunned: “What mission?”
“Li Du Mansion is a transfer point from land routes to water routes. Now Prince Ling’an is placed in an absolutely secret location in the city. What we need to do next is find a way to get him onto a ship at the docks.”
“Just getting on a ship… how difficult could that be?”
“Quling River passes through Li Du Mansion, so there’s only one southbound dock in the city. That dock was originally within the sphere of influence of Li Du Mansion’s Hugui Army, but Magistrate Huang Yankun is a petty man. Seeing the Qi people’s overwhelming momentum, he was scared out of his wits and surrendered to them, opening the city gates wide to let Qi soldiers in. So now, that only dock has fallen into Qi hands with heavy guard. Trying to send someone away would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.”
Xie Sui’an looked at Nanyi expectantly as she fell into thought, full of anticipation: “Sister-in-law, you’re so resourceful—what good method do you have?”
Nanyi and Xie Sui’an stared at each other wide-eyed.
Nanyi’s mind was racing—she wanted to say something valuable, but she was just an outsider. What could she possibly know?
Suddenly, Nanyi thought of Xie Queshan and that silk letter. How had the plan leaked to Xie Queshan? There must be a traitor among Xie Hengzai’s associates.
Just as she was about to speak, distant sounds of commotion came from outside. Xie Sui’an immediately became alert:
“I’ll go see what’s happening.”
With that, Xie Sui’an was about to leave briskly. Nanyi quickly followed—she didn’t want to be left here as an invisible person again.
“Sixth Miss, let me come with you.”
As soon as they walked out the courtyard gate, Nanyi and Xie Sui’an saw a squad of officials escorting a middle-aged man past.
Before Nanyi could ask, with a sharp ring, Xie Sui’an had already drawn her flexible sword and directly blocked the officials’ path.
“By what right are you arresting my third uncle!”
The person being escorted by officials was precisely Xie Zhu. Xie Zhu held official rank—he was currently the supervisor of Li Du Mansion’s Shipping Department. He was on his way to the Shipping Department offices, still wearing his official robes, but his hands were shackled, looking quite disheveled.
The lead official was fairly polite, answering Xie Sui’an: “We act on orders from the magistrate to escort the murder suspect back to the yamen.”
“What murder?”
“Last night someone died at the tavern—a Qi person. Someone saw Master Xie leaving the tavern that evening.”
“Nonsense! Who saw this? Bring them to confront him face to face!”
Xie Sui’an was relentless—she couldn’t let third uncle be taken away like this. A dead Qi person was just a trumped-up charge. Something more urgent must have happened, or the magistrate wouldn’t dare move against Xie Zhu.
The officials didn’t respond or yield, their attitude quite firm: “Please have Sixth Miss Xie cooperate with official business.”
“Little Six—” Xie Zhu stopped Xie Sui’an, shaking his head at her, his gaze seeming to contain deep meaning.
Xie Sui’an suppressed her anger: “Punishment doesn’t extend to scholar-officials. My third uncle has official rank—you cannot humiliate him with shackles.”
The lead officials exchanged glances and bowed to Xie Zhu: “This humble one has been presumptuous.”
Just as the official took out keys, they were snatched away by Xie Sui’an:
“Clumsy hands—I’ll do it myself.”
Xie Sui’an stepped forward to unlock Xie Zhu’s shackles. She gave Xie Zhu a meaningful look, indicating he could pass along his message to her.
Xie Zhu opened his clenched right fist, spreading four fingers while keeping his thumb pressed against his palm. After a pause, he then drew his hand into his robe.
This was Bingzhu Division’s special signal meaning “there’s a traitor, information leaked.”
Xie Sui’an’s expression shook with alarm.