Chapter 15: Noble Bird
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That square-faced fellow conducted the military operation as usual; lacking ruthlessness, he made up for it with slogans.
With a sharp rip, the entire jacket shattered like fluttering snowflakes, revealing a bold declaration on both shoulders—
“Fearless of the Capital Magistrate in life, unafraid of the King of Hell in death.”
Recognizing an old acquaintance, Song Ruozhao identified him by his tattoo: “Square Face is fairly common, but that tattoo is unforgettable.”
Unexpectedly, this tattoo had won the favor of a noble benefactor; Square Face nearly wanted to kiss both his arms until they bloomed.
Because a few days earlier, he had consulted a fortune teller who predicted the arrival of a benefactor, advising him to abandon conflict and embrace the light to turn misfortune into fortune.
When asked who this benefactor was, the master initially intended to say, “The benefactor has a rare bird.”
But feeling parched, he licked his dry lips and blurted out three words: “Benefactor Bird.”
Square Face was puzzled: “Could our benefactor really be a bird?”
Round Face retorted, “If our benefactor were truly a bird, why wouldn’t the master say ‘noble bird’ directly?”
Suddenly enlightened, Square Face exclaimed, “The benefactor is Song Ruozhao! Her bird must be the noble benefactor bird!”
Indeed, three ordinary men can outwit a strategist.
Thus, Song Ruozhao witnessed this scene: Brother Square led the brothers in a three-bow, nine-knock ritual, not seeking to intimidate, but only to receive protection.
The madam: ?
An oversized round face leaned in, blocking all of Song Ruozhao’s view: “Remember that snake-skin belt? We present it as a token of filial respect to you, our ancestor!”
Song Ruozhao was overwhelmed with favor: “Isn’t that your family heirloom?”
“Well then, how else could you be our ancestor?”
Her face brimmed with pride in claiming ancestral roots.
Song Ruozhao: “...”
This generation’s reverence might shorten her life; she felt they were about to launch a grand trumpet fanfare, heroically carrying her to the ancestral tomb!
Amidst the scene, halfway through a fight, the opponent suddenly became an ally?
Song Ruozhao couldn’t help but ask, “So shall we still fight this battle?”
“Fight—absolutely fight!”
Brother Square’s righteous spirit blazed: “Brothers, all the times this madam has shortchanged us, today we reclaim every penny!”
“Wait, I still have questions to ask her—”
Taking the snake-skin belt, it wound softly around Song Ruozhao’s fingers like a slender, ascending serpent, coldly coiling around the madam’s neck.
With each word, Song Ruozhao’s grip tightened: “The lady named Honey Willow you abducted—where is she now?”
Though already captured, the madam still had a way out and forced herself calm: “I haven’t seen a single willow leaf.”
Square Face scratched his head, eyes brightening: “It’s Xiao Wu! I think I know where the benefactor wants to find that lady!”
The madam was furious beyond measure. Had she known he would come with a band of brothers pleading for some work, she wouldn’t have lent a hand! Ruining her own affairs might be forgivable, but if it harmed her superiors, heads would roll tonight.
In the vast Pingkang District, the sound of revelry from each household grew louder, as if trying to drown out this furtive, rotten darkness.
Lady Qianchun sat before her makeup box, her forehead painted yellow, cheeks rouged, the reflection behind her exuding a calm tea-time composure. She smiled dreamily: “You seem confident; it looks like Xiao Wu won’t escape tonight.”
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Her moon-white robe glowed under the soft candlelight, her face shining like jade, but her words were cold: “Xiao Wu abuses his sister’s status as Crown Princess and the Crown Prince’s favor, bullying men and women alike. He deserves death.”
“And Princess Xian’an? Is she merely an innocent sacrifice?”
“She?” The man’s eyes darkened with cruelty. The painful memories of his past life haunted him like shadows he could not shake off; he was determined to erase such humiliation. “She enjoyed the eunuchs’ service, yet was insulted and abused. Let her fall into the dust, shattering her worthless pride!”
Knowing his past, one could understand his ruthlessness. Lady Qianchun pitied him deeply, slowly rising to embrace him from behind, her crimson lips lightly touching him as if to forge a suit of armor from her softness.
Outside the door, Song Ruozhao passed by. The door was ajar, revealing the soft fragrance and delicate scene within, faintly visible.
She swore she wasn’t a curious cat but the man inside looked strikingly familiar.
Recalling his parting words, spoken so casually.
Hey! That was... excessively casual.
“The boss, it’s the chamber ahead.”
Indeed, the madam’s memory was of this very door. Song Ruozhao instructed, “Wait outside; I’ll bring the person out.”
The man swung his arm, showing off: “That lady is temperamental; I’ll protect you!”
Song Ruozhao snapped, “If I needed your protection, how could I have the face to be your boss?”
He belatedly scratched his head, not very bright: “Seems you’re right.”
“I find the person, you use the madam to the fullest and take her to the authorities.”
Brother Square received his task like a thoroughbred meeting a discerning master, running off with a face full of ambition.
The door was locked? Fortunately, the madam had a key on her person.
A push—but it wouldn’t budge.
The door was secured from inside?
Song Ruozhao was about to be exasperated by whoever was inside, yet she had to rely on this little fish.
That greedy little shrimp bluntly advised against eating the insects offered by Brother Spider but now braved holding her breath, her belly quickly slimming as she squeezed through the door crack, exhaling and inhaling...
Seeing the half-dead progress bar, Song Ruozhao couldn’t help but give it a tug. Finally, the shrimp’s tail disappeared, revealing a pitiful little face.
She still held her remaining pride: “I am Princess Xian’an. My grandfather will know and surely punish you...”
“Oh dear, punish me and my whole clan, huh?” Having been punished a thousand times over, Song Ruozhao had a backup plan: this lifetime would leave no loose ends!
Princess Xian’an was startled: “How do you know about the ten clans?”
Song Ruozhao untied her bonds: “Your grandfather’s habits—eating only even numbers, brewing two cups of tea, sleeping symmetrically—he even insists on passing two stools at once!”
“...”
Tears welled in the princess’s eyes; after confirming her identity, she knew she was being rescued.
Still anxious: “If we don’t break out, how do we escape?”
“Fly.”
Princess Xian’an: “?”
Song Ruozhao whistled, and a plump, bright red-feathered bird with a tuft of down collided with the window frame, looking apologetic: Sorry, almost didn’t stop in time.
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Then it raised its gaze, spotting two men glaring fiercely. The bird’s eyes narrowed in warning: Ruozhao, no overloading!
“...”
Outside, Xiao Wu fantasized about beauty and spring nights, his breath heavy with wine and his demeanor debauched. Seeing the locked door now open, he was overjoyed: “Lady Honey Willow, can’t wait, huh?”
He kicked the door open and carefully closed it behind him. His gaze locked onto the beauty on the bed, who shyly hid beneath the covers!
Though drunk, he was swift; in moments, his clothes were strewn about as he crawled naked onto the bed...
“Bang—”
The door was violently thrown open, shaking the heavens.
A troop of soldiers stood behind a crowd of onlookers.
Their leader brandished a fish tally: “Right Guard General Ju Wenzhen here! Xiao Wu has seduced Princess Xian’an and sold her into a brothel, committing an unforgivable crime!”
Among the audience, composed of nobles and royal kin, the news of a princess trapped in a den of wolves stirred great lament.
The modesty-covering blanket was torn away, revealing Xiao Wu stark naked, trembling uncontrollably with fear.
His lust for Princess Xian’an was no secret, but the madam had only promised him cooked rice from raw; she never said he’d be caught!
Before he could think further, the person by the bed covered their face and wept, revealing the princess had transformed into a fair-faced gentleman, who harshly scolded: “Xiao Wu! I honored our mutual affection and your love for me, sharing bed and pillow for days without deception. Where did this princess come from now?”
Xiao Wu was utterly confused: “No, what filth is this...”
“Blame me for being blind—” Song Ruozhao quickly raised her voice to drown out his unfinished words, “I should never have trusted your rotten, deceitful mouth! Better to shut you up—”
As she spoke, she angrily shoved the rag that had been stuffed in Princess Xian’an’s mouth into Xiao Wu’s.
In a fit of anger, he, the fair-faced gentleman, was utterly ashamed and vanished into the crowd.
Xiao Wu was bewildered by everyone’s distrustful glances.
I must explain clearly, I’m not a lover of men!
Conquering the rag in his mouth was just a matter of spitting it out!
He thought this, moving his tongue, but something was wrong—it tasted spicy—
Like mustard.
He tried again, but alas—
The rag concealed needles beneath its softness!
A trap inside and out!
This rag feared not if you spit it out, but if you didn’t—
Blood dripped from Xiao Wu’s lips: I’ve surrendered, please spare me.
Hidden nearby, Ju Sifu witnessed everything, terror-stricken as though facing a ghost, blood running cold, a chill shooting to the crown of his head.
Why? This wasn’t how it went in the previous life!
Surely this plan was a double victory, condemning Xiao Wu to prison and disgracing Princess Xian’an to despair and death. Why did everything change upon meeting Song Ruozhao?