Chapter 58: Survival Instinct Is No Match For…

Ren Ping stood with his blade at the base of the wall, looking up at the familiar Fanged Mask. He hadn’t expected his reunion with Mysterious Cat to take place in such a bustling, noisy marketplace.

The Death Warriors lurking in the shadows could hardly contain themselves. One swiftly scaled the wall, hurling a flying blade, eager to engage in close combat. But Mysterious Cat always drifted away effortlessly, vanishing from their sight, only to occasionally reveal a faint trace of his presence in some corner.

That faint trace was enough to drive the Death Warriors into a frenzy. They swarmed out like a rain of arrows, all charging toward the same target. Soon, the clashing of weapons echoed not far away. These cold, gleaming blades and swords stirred panic among the commoners, leaving the once lively market in disarray with scattered debris. The government’s guard troops and constables arrived one after another. Upon learning that Mysterious Cat had appeared, they were equally astonished and gave chase. However, by then, the sounds of fighting from several locations had already ceased. When they arrived, all they retrieved were one or two corpses of Death Warriors and half of a Fanged Mask.

The Death Warriors were exhilarated, claiming that since his old wounds hadn’t yet healed and he had sustained new injuries, he would surely have to reveal himself again. They held that half of the Fanged Mask in their hands as if it were already a substantial trophy.

Someone asked Ren Ping if he intended to devise a detailed capture plan. Ren Ping took a sip of tea and offered no reply.

He didn’t believe Mysterious Cat could be captured so easily. Over half a month ago, when he had encountered the Death Warriors in a dark alley, Mysterious Cat hadn’t left so much as a single hair behind. Today, he suddenly appeared, injured, with his mask broken… It was likely all a deliberate ploy, a calculated misstep.

Ren Ping didn’t understand the purpose behind such a suicidal appearance. Perhaps it was a diversion, a feint to cover the Princess’s escape from the city?

Even the obtained antidote for the Gu poison could be casually tossed into a pond by him, left to be carried away by the flowing water. Mysterious Cat was a dog both too arrogant and too loyal. This was undoubtedly a trap set by the Princess.

Ren Ping had no desire to involve himself further in these court conflicts that offered little reward. Whether the orders came from the new emperor or the Grand Empress Dowager, he had no heart to take them seriously. Naturally, he had lost much of his enthusiasm for the task of capturing Princess Yingrong alive. But stranded in a foreign land, with Death Warriors closing in on one side and the guard troops repeatedly urging him on the other, Ren Ping couldn’t simply wash his hands of the matter.

He spread the layout map of Suzhou City on the table, pointing out the locations of several city gates and Water Gates, ordering an immediate strict defense and thorough inspection along the routes. After leaving, he ascended the City Tower, facing north to blow the Bone Whistle. The next moment, several sharp eagle cries pierced through the clouds. The Hunting Eagles trained by the Imperial Guards for aerial pursuit began circling overhead.

As the Hunting Eagles’ wings swept across the azure autumn sky, Guan Xuan withdrew his gaze. Sitting on the steps of the Old Ancestral Hall, he cupped his face, waiting for the water on it to dry.

It wasn’t until noon the next day that Zhao Rongzhang received the message concerning Little Mute. Ren Ping had ordered the news of Mysterious Cat’s appearance sealed, so it was no small feat for this letter to reach her hands.

“Ren Ping must think we’re still inside the city or have just recently left. He’d never imagine we’ve been living here for nearly half a month already,” Ming Luo said, serving the freshly steamed fish and handing chopsticks to the Princess as she sat down. “With their method of searching, they’ll never find us.”

Ming Luo was currently dressed as a scholar, playing the role of an ordinary young couple with Zhao Rongzhang. They hid indoors all day, “studying,” and rarely went out, so none of the neighbors noticed anything unusual.

Zhao Rongzhang burned the letter: “Su Tan hasn’t tracked us here either, has she?”

“We left false traces. Her people appeared a few times along the route we designed, so it seems they also believe we returned to the city long ago. Your Highness can rest assured.”

Zhao Rongzhang picked up a piece of fish belly meat, placing it in her mouth to chew slowly. The fish, prepared with complete seasonings and careful control of the heat, somehow lacked the fragrance of a fish that had only been scaled and stuffed with random herbs before roasting.

Zhao Rongzhang was somewhat distracted: “Spread the news about Guan Xuan as quickly as possible.” Every additional day of delay increased his danger.

“And also, do we have any other usable Shadow Guards left?”

Ming Luo shook her head.

Guan Xuan’s existence had prevented Consort Ling from preparing other Shadow Guards for her. In the palace, there were other guards by her side, but here, unless they could gain Su Tan’s support, they had no one else to rely on.

After eating less than half a bowl of rice, Zhao Rongzhang could eat no more.

Inside and outside the Old Ancestral Hall, it was desolate and uninhabited, making it temporarily safe. Yet at night, Guan Xuan still habitually slept on the roof beam. Though he called it sleep, his thoughts never truly ceased; he often couldn’t tell whether he was asleep or not. However, before long, he grasped a pattern: if he saw the Princess or heard her voice, then he was in a dream and not awake.

This was the first time since he was thirteen that he had left the Princess. Perhaps the next time he returned to her side would be when death turned him into a ghost.

Away from the Princess, Guan Xuan realized he simply did not know how to eat. He couldn’t remember to look for food, unaware that the softness in his belly meant hunger. He didn’t even know why he needed to eat. At some point, the instinct for survival had been overpowered by the instinct to protect the Princess.

Those people were following the wrong trail, chasing further and further away. Guan Xuan lit a fire in the center of the courtyard using a stove, adding many damp pieces of firewood. The smoke grew thicker and thicker, staining the square patch of blue sky a bluish-gray.

Guan Xuan left the ancestral hall; they pursued him to the ancestral hall.

Guan Xuan pondered: how critical must the Princess’s situation become to force the person she needed into action? What kind of outcome must he create to bring the greatest value to the Princess?

After a light autumn rain, Zhao Rongzhang received the second letter concerning Guan Xuan, seven days after the first. The letter stated that Mysterious Cat was severely wounded, Suzhou City was under full lockdown with strict controls on entry and exit, and he might be captured within days.

Zhao Rongzhang turned the paper over—blank. She checked the envelope again; there was no second sheet. Dissatisfied, she angrily said, “It’s unclear and incomplete. They imposed a lockdown, and then what? What is the court’s reaction? How far has the news spread? Does Prince Su know? He’s severely wounded—where exactly is he wounded?”

After a moment, she calmed down a bit and, as usual, burned the letter: “Go see if Su Tan has made any moves.”

“We’ve already checked. The mountain gate remains tightly shut.”

Zhao Rongzhang pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

Freshly boiled hot water was poured into a bowl, causing the tea leaves to swirl and float. Ming Luo set down the kettle and pushed the tea bowl toward her. Just as she was about to speak, the Princess suddenly rose from her seat, pushed the door open, and walked out.

Ming Luo hurried to follow, but the Princess stopped before the threshold. Following her gaze, she saw the Hunting Eagle flying once more toward the city.

“I really wish I could shoot it down with an arrow,” Zhao Rongzhang said through gritted teeth.

Ming Luo knew she was just venting, but it showed how anxious she had become inside. So she earnestly answered the question the Princess had asked earlier: “The messages are already being sent out to various places, but we can’t be too obvious. Slowness is necessary. Still, it won’t be later than the end of the month. By then, the whole world will know, and it will surely spur Su Tan into action.”

She then spoke of Guan Xuan: “Mysterious Cat is sharp and agile, with profound inner force, both brave and resourceful. The letter says he’s seriously injured, but I doubt it. Most likely, he’s deliberately misleading those fools, making them think even he is badly wounded and that we’re truly trapped in the city with no way out, all to achieve our goal faster.”

“Is he clever?” Zhao Rongzhang lowered her eyes. After a long while, she folded her arms and returned to the room.

Of course, Zhao Rongzhang understood everything Ming Luo had said. It was just that when emotions took over, reason struggled to control her words and actions. But reason still fully governed her mind, and her mind would never regret any decision she had made.

Day by day, they lit lamps to hasten the dawn, until finally, the end of the month arrived. The two osmanthus trees planted in the small courtyard burst forth with clusters of yellow buds, their fragrance almost dizzying. Autumn deepened, and the weather grew increasingly cool.

Ming Luo closed the door tightly and reported in a low voice that Prince Su had begun making moves as early as half a month ago, while the court had dispatched more Imperial Guards and protective troops. Even Su Shuang’an, far away in Hongfu Prefecture, was sending people to Suzhou City to assist them. Her plan was already half-successful; indeed, the whole world was stirred by news of her life and death.

“What about Su Tan?”

As soon as this question was asked, Ming Luo’s words became hesitant: “Perhaps…”

Zhao Rongzhang was indignant: “Has she really turned her back on Mother Consort and abandoned me without a care?! Didn’t she achieve what she has today because of the protection Mother Consort secured by lowering herself for others?!”

Without Mother Consort, she could never have amassed such great influence!

“Princess…”

“Enough,” Zhao Rongzhang said, still angry but quickly calming herself. “People’s hearts are no longer what they used to be. Mother Consort is dead, the Twelve Flower Servants scattered across the land, and Su Tan is the only one left alive with a name and reputation. Retreating to the Mountain Gate, she probably just wants to carve out a quiet corner for herself. I shouldn’t have placed my hopes on others in the first place. Yet, apart from her, I have no other choice. Hmph, I never should have held any expectations from the start.”

Zhao Rongzhang understood the reasoning perfectly, but even after thinking it through and speaking her mind, her chest still felt tight with frustration.

Just then, the distant cry of an old peddler drifted from beyond the courtyard gate: “Selling—powder and hair oil—combs and hairpins—”

Ming Luo and Zhao Rongzhang exchanged a glance, then quietly stepped behind the door, listening intently as they waited. The old peddler was their messenger.

As the peddler’s call drew near the courtyard, a neighbor’s door opened. Ming Luo followed suit, stepping out quickly to buy a box of osmanthus oil and a packet of fried cakes. After exchanging brief pleasantries with the neighbors, Ming Luo hurried back inside. She unwrapped the oil paper around the fried cakes, feeling around until she found the thickest part. Tearing it open, she pulled out a thin letter.

Zhao Rongzhang opened the letter and read through all its contents in just two glances.

Death Warriors, Imperial Guards, the royal guard, and several unknown forces taking advantage of the chaos—all were hunting Little Mute. He had clashed with them repeatedly, and more and more people had seen his face. By now, Suzhou City was in an uproar.

Zhao Rongzhang read the letter twice more before burning it. Little Mute’s life or death wouldn’t truly affect the Princess’s safety, so the intelligence regarding his actual situation was written very briefly.

Ming Luo didn’t dare press her about the contents of the letter, only pushing a few fried cakes into her hands. The Princess had been eating too little lately. Lost in thought, Zhao Rongzhang took a bite of the fried cake and suddenly frowned.

It was a cake made of shredded radish coated in batter and fried. Between the radish shreds hung a few small dried shrimp, fried until crispy. Chewing it, the taste was surprisingly savory and fragrant—much better than the steamed buns filled with radish and pork.

Zhao Rongzhang recalled that afternoon when he had been by her side, “chattering” and “talking” to her. She remembered him sitting beside her, lowering his gaze as he bit into a steamed bun and sipped lotus root soup. A speck of blood at the corner of his eyebrow, like a red flaw on jade, made him truly seem like a well-behaved little cat.

Would he die?

“Let’s wait two more days. Just two more days…” Zhao Rongzhang paced around the room twice before suddenly stopping. “No, we won’t wait any longer.”