Chapter 52 Will you come to my rescue?
Yunxi had no relatives to visit, so after staying at the security escort agency for a few days, she went to the temple fair to join in the fun.
When they returned, someone from the escort agency came to discuss business.
"This shipment is being escorted to Jiaxing." Zhang Huailin hesitated noticeably. "Last year, the imperial court's policy of cutting down mulberry trees and restoring rice fields caused quite a stir, and many bandits disguised themselves as mulberry farmers to burn, kill, and plunder along the way."
Yunxi pursed her lips, pondered for a moment, and suddenly said, "Let me escort this shipment."
Zhang Huailin looked at her and asked, "Aren't you going to Dali?"
Yunxi loves Dali, where her godmother is and where she also loves Hongxiuzhao.
So she plans to stay in Dali for a long time this time.
I'll open another tavern and drink and sing with wandering heroes from all over the country.
In my free time, I would wander around and explore, and when I got tired of one place, I would move on to the next.
But once she went to Dali, she would basically never return to the Central Plains.
But she still owes money.
Yunxi didn't let outsiders know about this, not even Xiaobei.
She didn't want anyone from her past to know where she was going in the future.
Therefore, she also had to sever some ties with her past relationships before that.
Even though she was far away in Sichuan these days, the storytellers in the teahouses were telling stories about the mulberry-cutting disputes in the Jiangnan region.
Fan Zishi's name has become a household name for countless people.
Some say he is a deity descended to earth to relieve the people's worries and troubles, while others curse him as a lackey of the imperial court who doesn't care about people's lives.
In short, there are people who criticize him, but even more people who praise him.
The saying goes, "Nine out of ten imperial censors who went on southern tours never returned."
It is said that he survived countless assassination attempts, and even his old dog died from arsenic poisoning.
Even from hearing these dubious rumors, Yunxi knew he was in a very precarious position.
She went there just to see him. If she had the chance, she would repay the favor to him, of course, on the premise that she would never be discovered.
Secondly, there's the escort agency. She's used up some money during her time back, and she can naturally make up for that deficit after this escort mission.
Just to be on the safe side, she specifically dug out the mask that had been made by the shaman in the southern barbarians.
With a full beard and thick winter clothes, there was no trace of her in this disguise.
As the year drew to a close, perhaps the bandits had robbed enough before the year's end; in any case, Yunxi's journey to Jiaxing went relatively smoothly.
The petty thief who jumped out was kicked away by Xiao Bei without her even having to lift a finger.
The most dangerous thing was encountering a shady shop.
It was a stormy day, and the group was exhausted from their journey. When they finally saw a tavern, their guard naturally lowered.
Fortunately, Yunxi had a keen sense of smell and detected the blood. She then tied up the shop owner and his wife and took them to the authorities, rescuing more than a dozen deceived passersby from the cellar.
For this, Yunxi received a reward of five taels of silver from the government.
Seeing Yunxi calmly go to collect the money, Xiaobei was terrified.
When she returned beaming with the silver, treating everyone to a delicious meal at the restaurant, Xiao Bei couldn't help but lean over and ask, "Young Master, aren't you afraid of being exposed?"
Yunxi stroked his bushy beard. "What's there to be afraid of? No one will recognize me if they come."
"So, how thrilling was the martial world?" she said, pouring Xiao Bei a glass of wine and asking smugly.
"It was indeed quite thrilling." Xiao Bei recalled last night when he carelessly drank a cup of hot wine and soon felt weak all over. He didn't want to experience that despair again when he saw the burly shopkeeper walking out with a cleaver in his hands, unable to move.
"That's just how the martial arts world is. Don't worry, I'm an old hand at this. Protecting you won't be a problem," Yunxi assured him, patting his chest.
It was indeed a bit dangerous once we entered Jiaxing territory.
A group of people disguised as farmers came out to commit robbery, but Yunxi discovered that these people were just ordinary people taking advantage of the chaos.
Just as they were about to reach Jiaxing County, they encountered a group of bandits on the hills outside the city who took pleasure in killing. These people were so ruthless that they did not even spare girls as young as seven or eight.
Yunxi immediately flew into a rage, ordering the镖局 (escort agency) personnel to leave first to hand over the goods. She and Xiaobei then put sleeping pills in the water vat and burned down the hideout of these people hiding deep in the mountains and forests.
"Great hero, spare my life!" The leader trembled with fear.
Yunxi held a knife to the man's neck. "Tell me, who ordered you to do this?"
At first, this person refused to recruit at all.
Yunxi made Xiaobei force these people to kneel in a row, and with a swift stroke of his knife, he chopped off their heads one by one. The leader was so frightened that he wet his pants and finally couldn't take it anymore and confessed.
He was someone Yunxi had never even heard of.
But she didn't know that Fan Zishi could follow this lead and investigate further.
The more chaotic Jiaxing became, the more resentful the people were, and the more people opposed Fan Zishi.
These are all henchmen sent by those who exploit the people; the so-called officials and gentry are mostly parasites that suck people's blood and sweat.
Even though she disliked Xiao Shenjing, she supported the decision to cut down mulberry trees and restore rice cultivation, because food is the most important thing for people.
However, some officials in the capital only cared about enriching themselves and did not care about the lives of the people.
Yunxi, with a stern face, carefully placed the evidence of the leader's crimes, then bound him tightly and hid him in the dilapidated temple.
He rode off to find Fan Zishi.
"The magistrate went to Chongde County and has not yet returned." After entering the city, Xiao Bei quickly returned from the yamen, his expression somewhat heavy.
"What's wrong?" Yunxi put down her teacup and asked.
Xiao Bei suddenly knelt on one knee. "Young Master, please don't go. Just wait for the adults in the city."
"Is Fan Zishi in danger?" Yun Xi tilted her head.
Jiaxing is a prosperous area in the Jiangnan region, and also one of the places most opposed to cutting down mulberry trees and restoring rice paddies.
Even though Fan Zishi's efforts to persuade Suzhou to cut down mulberry trees and restore rice cultivation were very effective, Jiaxing did not buy into it.
Fan Zishi knew that people in the Jiangzhe area were still observing the situation.
One Suzhou is not enough; we also need to add Jiaxing to ensure that those wavering regions firmly support the restoration of rice cultivation after the mulberry harvest.
He had barely arrived in Jiaxing when someone served him a large dish.
No sooner had he disembarked than the chief priestess of the Chongde County Silkworm Mother Association suddenly went mad. The madwoman struck the Dengwen Drum and, in front of everyone, took off her outer robe, bit her finger, and wrote two lines of bloody words: "The imperial envoy hides a plague god talisman in his sleeve, and at night he sacrifices to the Big Dipper to disperse the poison."
She died on the spot after writing it, and the golden silkworm that crawled out of her body revealed Fan Zishi's birth date and time on the ground.
Soon, the entire Jiaxing was spreading the prophecy: "The silkworm vein leads to the underworld; changing the mulberry tree will surely bring plague."
The rumors spread like wildfire, causing widespread panic. People avoided Fan Zishi as if he were a plague god, and the mulberry farmers risked their lives to protect their mulberry trees.
Clearly, the people behind Jiaxing learned from the Suzhou experience and wanted to use huge rumors to discourage him.
For a time, there was no breakthrough in the matter of cutting down mulberry trees and restoring rice paddies.
Since the rumors originated in Chongde County, Fan Zishi had no choice but to expose this place.
It's a clear case of "luring the enemy into a trap."
But Fan Zishi had no choice but to go.
Even though he had made thorough preparations and even disguised himself, as soon as he appeared in town, dozens of people with sores and pus on their faces went mad and rushed towards them.
This instantly fulfilled the prophecy that "the silkworm's vein leads to the underworld, and changing the mulberry tree will inevitably lead to plague."
These people had pus and blood on their faces, and looked like they had gone mad, completely irrational.
Once they touch you, they grow mouths and bite or scratch.
"If we encounter this plague, we will definitely be infected. Sir, we must retreat quickly."
However, when they turned around, they found that the carriage and horses were gone, and the ten guards had died on the spot.
The group could only hastily retreat while fighting.
Just as they were about to leave Chongde County, a group of people dressed as bandits rushed out from the mountain.
"What a brilliant scheme!" Fan Zishi, surrounded, ordered his men to pull the trigger.
However, it will take time for the rescue teams stationed outside the area to arrive.
"Hold on, our rescuers are on their way." Fan Zishi said calmly, holding his sword. "When we get back, I will reward you handsomely."
The people of Chongde County were incredibly audacious; the bandits not only used knives and guns, but also deployed archers on the outskirts.
Amidst the flashing swords, an arrow struck Fan Zishi in the shoulder, causing excruciating pain in an instant.
He vaguely saw blood and dismembered limbs scattered all over the ground, and only two or three of his servants remained.
"My lord, run!" Chen Da roared, slashing down an arrow that had just flown by. Covered in blood, he screamed.
No sooner had he finished speaking than a sharp sword pierced straight toward Fan Zishi's chest.
Chen Da's eyes widened in horror. "Sir, be careful!"
Fan Zishi opened his eyes wide; there was no way to avoid it now.
Just then, his vision blurred, and he was pulled down to the ground by a strong force.
Yunxi pierced the heart of the person opposite her with a sword and kicked him away before she had time to turn around and look at Fan Zishi.
At this moment, Fan Zishi could no longer see the person who had approached, but his will to survive made him reach out his hand to the person, pleading, "Save me!"
He cannot die yet.
He has not yet met Yunxi.
If he dies, who will help Yunxi if she encounters danger?
He cannot die.
In the last moment before Fan Zishi lost consciousness, he seemed to hear a familiar voice.
But he knew it was an illusion.
Yunxi is far away in Shu, how could she have come here?
At this moment, the rescue team that Fan Zishi had prepared in advance finally arrived.
Yunxi did not want to reveal her identity and cause trouble for Fan Zishi.
He left after dropping off the medicine.
Next, she visited brothels, listened to music, and went to gambling dens in Jiaxing.
Until the seventh day.
Fan Zishi appeared at the inn where she was staying, his face pale.
His eyes trembled, as if he had a thousand words to say to her.
"Yunxi." She pretended not to know her, but as she passed by, Fan Zishi grabbed her wrist.
Yunxi's expression tightened, and she was about to warn him.
He had already spoken first, saying, "Don't worry, the inspector has been left behind."
Yunxi tried to pull her hand away, but as soon as she exerted force, she heard Fan Zishi gasp and press his hand against his chest.
Recalling the crisis of that day, it's not easy for arguments to break out here.
Yunxi could only frown, suppress her movements, and let the man pull her wrist back into the room.
Completely unaware that a faint smile was playing on Fan Zishi's lips.
It seemed that he was already satisfied as long as it wasn't brushed away.
As soon as the inn door closed, Yunxi immediately said, "Lord Fan, can we let go now?"
Fan Zishi, staring at her, seemed to realize something at that moment. As soon as he removed his hand, he asked, "Yunxi, you came for me, didn't you?"
When Xiao Bei contacted him via secret message, he was still somewhat incredulous.
Seeing her in person today finally calmed my racing heart.
The person who saved him was indeed Yunxi; she traveled a great distance to rescue him.
This excitement made the usually composed Lord Fan lose his composure; he was even eager to verify and hear what he most wanted to hear.
Yunxi was never one to mince words, and she stated frankly, "Most of my time here is for you, after all..."
"Don't say the rest," Fan Zishi interrupted her, clearly not wanting to hear what she had to say next.
Yunxi didn't want to misunderstand, so she insisted, "Because you helped me escape from the palace, I owe you a favor."
Seeing her earnest emphasis, Fan Zishi smiled and said, "I understand."
His injuries had not yet healed, and his face was somewhat pale, making him appear frail and weak despite his handsome appearance.
He was noticeably thinner than I remembered him to look.
But what does this have to do with her?
Yunxi withdrew her gaze, walked to the table, poured a cup of hot tea, and pushed it towards Lord Fan, saying, "I will be leaving tomorrow."
Fan Zishi remained silent for a moment and then nodded.
He didn't ask her where she was going.
I also know she won't tell me.
Yunxi said, "I have already repaid most of the debt I owe you."
Fan Zishi couldn't help but interrupt her, "If I hadn't rescued you from the palace, would you have saved me that day?"
He asked questions quickly and urgently, a far cry from his usual composed and strategic demeanor.
Yunxi nodded.
Just as Fan Zishi was overjoyed, she said again, "After all, you are indeed a good official, and the mulberry farmers in the Jiangze area cannot do without you."
The smile on Fan Zishi's face froze for a moment, finally turning into a bitter laugh. "Yunxi, can't you tell me a lie?"
"What are you lying about?" Yunxi didn't understand.
He suddenly looked up at her and said, "You lied to me; you did it for your own selfish reasons."
Their eyes met, and for some reason, Yunxi couldn't quite understand Fan Zishi's gaze either. Like Lu Xiuran, it seemed as if he was suppressing a lot of emotions, like ink that was impossible to discern.
Before she could investigate further, Fan Zishi abruptly averted his gaze.
It happened so fast that there was a hint of barely perceptible panic.
"I don't like lying." Yunxi poured herself a cup of tea and drank it down.
After setting down the cup, she pulled out a chair and sat down, slowly looking at Fan Zishi and saying, "To be honest, I knew you were in danger before I came, so I thought it would be best if I could repay your favor."
She has always been open and honest, and she feels that going through the motions is a waste of time.
Fan Zishi silently lowered his eyes.
“If not, then I need to express my sincere gratitude to you in person,” Yunxi said.
After all, no one is obligated to risk execution to help someone.
Even if it were anyone else who saved her, she should still cherish and express her gratitude.
A life-saving grace is like being given a second life by one's parents.
“You don’t owe me anything, Lord Fan. On the contrary, it is I, Yunxi, who owe you.” She stood up and bowed deeply to Fan Zishi.
Fan Zishi tried to stop Yunxi, but Yunxi wouldn't give him the chance.
He stepped back and bowed deeply.
Seeing her distant attitude, Fan Zishi clenched his fist and remained silent for a long time.
Yunxi assured him, "Don't worry, I will repay the remaining kindness to you one day."
Upon hearing this, Fan Zishi suddenly bowed deeply as well.
Yunxi was caught off guard and didn't even have time to stop it.
“If you hadn’t appeared in time that day, I would have died too.” Fan Zishi straightened up. “Therefore, Yunxi, you owe me nothing.”
Yunxi's expression stiffened; she couldn't very well return it.
Fan Zishi looked at her frustrated expression and seemed to finally feel a little better.
"So, we're even, Yunxi." The young Lord Fan sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and his casual gesture carried a hint of nonchalance, as if he had taken control of the situation. "What are your plans now?"
"It's not convenient to disclose that." Yunxi also sat down.
"Okay, then I won't ask, but you have to take it with you, Xiao Bei."
Without a second thought, Yunxi refused, "There's no room for negotiation on this. Xiaobei is your person, and I don't like anyone disturbing my new life."
Fan Zishi shook his head. "Xiao Bei is yours from now on. I won't contact him again." He paused. "Unless something unexpected happens."
The Bureau of Investigation had already begun investigating her whereabouts.
He didn't want to tell her about it, otherwise he would only increase her worries. He didn't want her to spend her new life in fear.
Over the years, due to the turmoil in the imperial court, although Dali was under the jurisdiction of the Jing Kingdom, the imperial court had very little influence over the area, and Dali had its own local emperor.
Even though Xiao Shenjing worked diligently to govern the country, he had only been on the throne for four short years. Yet, he managed to transform the dilapidated Jingsheng into the prosperous state it is today. His ruthless methods are enough to make him a legend in history.
Therefore, even though they knew that Yunnan had been maintaining its military power year after year, they were temporarily unable to control it.
Only after pacifying the Japanese pirates and driving away the Turks can we spare the focus to deal with Yunnan, but it's unknown when that will be.
Therefore, Yunxi knew that she was safer in Dali than anywhere else in the Central Plains.
“You absolutely cannot go back to the palace.” Just as Yunxi was about to refuse again, Fan Zishi put down his cup and suddenly said, “Take Xiaobei with you, so that I will no longer worry about you.”
“”
He solemnly declared, "I swear on my life that if you are not in any danger, I will never contact Xiao Bei again in my life."
There will always be times when he is powerless to reach the distant mountains and long roads.
Having someone by her side provides extra support and at least puts his mind at ease.
As he spoke, Fan Zishi called out, "Xiao Bei."
Xiao Bei pushed open the door and knelt down, looking at her expectantly. "Miss, please don't send Xiao Bei away."
Yunxi simply couldn't bring herself to refuse.
As he left, Fan Zishi reached the door, gripped it with one hand, turned back to look at Yunxi, and slowly asked, "Yunxi, will we ever see each other again?"
The door panel blocked too much sunlight, making his expression appear obscured.
It's as if too many emotions are mixed in, and have already crossed the line.
It's as if the guilt from the past was too intense, lingering to this day and not yet gone, or rather, it's something that's unwilling to be easily erased.
Once severed, he and she would truly have no further connection.
Yunxi couldn't decipher his expression, nor did she answer his question.
Young Lord Fan seemed to have known this outcome all along, so he smiled at her and said, "Yunxi, have a safe journey."
This expression seemed to be a return to the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence a few years ago.
He was the older brother who always took care of her and couldn't bear to see her suffer even the slightest grievance.
Yunxi quickly left with Abei.
With her business settled here, she couldn't wait to go to Dali.
She missed her godmother, missed Hongxiuzhao, and wanted to make money quickly to open a tavern.
Yunxi is an impulsive person; once she decides to do something, she has to do it and can't wait to do it.
After returning to Chengdu, she only rested for two days before heading to Dali with Xiao Bei and Cong Tou.
The glazed tiles of the Qianqing Palace reflect the morning light, and the twelve vermilion doors of the front hall open one after another, bringing in the crisp spring breeze and the aroma of freshly brewed tea from the west wing.
When Gu Wenqian entered, the young emperor was leaning against a rosewood table inlaid with enamel, watching the melting snow fall from the dragon-shaped pillar.
"What is it?" Xiao Shenjing glanced at him indifferently.
The morning light filtering through the east window was cutting between the emperor and his ministers.
Gu Wenqian immediately bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, on that day, Miss Yunxi wore a cicada-shadow silk garment. Woven from celestial silkworms, it can conceal any skin injury without being visible to the naked eye. There are only two such garments in the world: one was purchased by a mysterious woman after it appeared in Loulan, and the other appeared at the Cui Liu Lou on the banks of the Qinhuai River in Nanjing."
"Emerald Willow Pavilion?" Xiao Shenjing casually fiddled with the white bronze hand warmer.
"It's the largest brothel on the banks of the Qinhuai River." The young emperor remained silent, so Gu Wenqian could only continue, "The Chan Yingxiao silk is considered a treasure by courtesans, and they would fight over it whenever it appeared."
"A courtesan?" Xiao Shenjing narrowed his eyes slowly. "So, why does Yunxi possess such a thing?"
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