The Nan Residence, the inner chambers.
A maid pushed open the door, the cold wind she brought making the candlelight flicker. She stood by the doorway, letting some of the chill dissipate before stepping into the inner room.
Nan Yuan'er sat by the table, her head bowed over a book. Hearing the movement, she slowly lifted her head and asked, "What did they say? Why did they fail?"
The maid's face revealed a look of resentment, anger coloring the corners of her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Miss, those two ran away. I didn't even see them!"
"What?"
Nan Yuan'er slammed the book shut on the table, a fierce glint appearing in her eyes. She frowned and angrily said, "Ran away? Damn it, the people from the Black Market are truly unreliable!"
The maid nodded emphatically, "Miss, what do we do now?"
"What do we do? Pretend it never happened!" Nan Yuan'er said through gritted teeth.
What else could she do? Fortunately, she hadn't shown her face at all, and the maid had gone to the Black Market in disguise. Even if those two guessed that the Nan Residence had hired them, there was no concrete evidence to prove it was her. But these two took her money, not only failed the task but also absconded with it. If she had capable subordinates, why would she have gone to the Black Market to find these untrustworthy, lowly individuals?
The more Nan Yuan'er thought about it, the angrier she became. She waved her hand irritably, dismissing the maid.
The maid bowed her head and retreated.
The junior servant from the front courtyard came to the back courtyard and found the maid.
"Cai Huan, Master is looking for you."
The maid followed the servant to the study in the front courtyard. She stood outside the door and gently knocked, "Master, Cai Huan requests an audience."
"Come in!"
Nan Chaoyin's voice came from inside the room. The maid pushed the door open and walked in respectfully.
Seeing the maid enter, Nan Chaoyin put down the scroll in his hand and looked up at her, "What did Yuan'er have you do?"
The maid quickly looked up at Nan Chaoyin. Seeing him smiling, she felt a chill run down her spine. She instantly knelt on the ground, not daring to hide anything, and recounted everything Nan Yuan'er had instructed her to do.
Upon hearing that Yuan'er had reached out to the Black Market to cause trouble for Nan Shiying, a trace of controlled anger flickered in Nan Chaoyin's eyes. Both Liu Shi and Yuan'er had disregarded his earnest instructions. He had emphasized it so many times, yet they still wouldn't let Nan Shiying go. It seemed they completely disregarded him as a husband and father.
"Cai Huan, although I have given you to Yuan'er, you must always remember who your true master is! Do not confuse priorities."
Nan Chaoyin's words, neither light nor heavy, fell upon Cai Huan's ears like a great mountain, pressing her back almost to the ground. Her nerves taut, her hands trembling, she responded, "Yes, Master. Cai Huan knows her mistake."
Nan Chaoyin let out a soft hum from his nose and then impatiently waved his hand, "You may go."
"Yes!"
Cai Huan respectfully withdrew from the study. Only when she stood in the courtyard did her uneasy heart finally relax. After her tense nerves eased, Cai Huan realized she was already drenched in sweat. The biting cold seeped into her bones as the wind blew against her sweat-soaked body. She shivered violently and hurried back to her room.
Nan Chaoyin watched the maid leave, then slowly stood up and walked to the bookshelf. He placed his hand on the blue and white porcelain vase in the center of the bookshelf and turned it forcefully. A sound of gears grinding came from behind the bookshelf. After a series of mechanical noises, the bookshelf slowly moved from the center to both sides, revealing a door.
Nan Chaoyin pushed the door open and walked in, and the bookshelf automatically closed.
Passing through a long corridor, Nan Chaoyin's view suddenly opened up. The underground structure was illuminated only by candlelight, with torches mounted on the walls casting light that made the darkness seem like day. The moment Nan Chaoyin opened the hidden door, bells chimed repeatedly. A Miao frontier蛊师 (Gu Master) heard the resounding bells and emerged from the room.
"Prime Minister Nan!"
She nodded at Nan Chaoyin.
Since the Miao frontier was annihilated by Da Li, only a handful of Gu Masters survived. He had a chance encounter and saved this Gu Master years ago, and now she was proving useful.
Nan Chaoyin nodded at her, behaving with extreme politeness and courtesy, "Miss Lan, how has the matter progressed?"
Lan Yue'er raised an eyebrow and replied confidently, "With me, Lan, involved, there is no reason for failure. However, Prime Minister Nan, that Da Li princess..."
The Miao frontier, relying on their unique skills, had once disdained Da Li, attempting to establish themselves independently. This touched upon a bottom line that no ruler could tolerate. To eradicate the Miao frontier, Da Li had suffered heavy casualties. If not for that, Da Li would not have allowed Lin Yuan to remain peaceful for so many years, leading to the emergence of the Northern Frontier General and Ji Jinmo, who were both bloodthirsty.
The Miao frontier and Da Li had a deep-seated blood feud.
The reason he could persuade Lan Yue'er to act was merely mutual benefit.
However, this was not the time to deal with that Da Li princess.
"Miss Lan, please be patient. Nan knows you are eager for revenge, but haste makes waste. Now is not the time to deal with that Da Li princess." Nan Chaoyin interrupted before Lan Yue'er could finish speaking.
Lan Yue'er looked at Nan Chaoyin for a long moment before slowly nodding.
A jade-green insect crawled on her fingers, its bright color a stark contrast to her fair skin. Nan Chaoyin looked at the insect in her hand, feeling a degree of revulsion. Who in this world would truly accept these people who played with Gu?
The mere thought of a Gu worm entering one's body and being controlled by the Gu Master made Nan Chaoyin want to retreat and distance himself from this dangerous individual.
Although Nan Chaoyin concealed it well, Lan Yue'er could still sense the disgust, rejection, and fear in his eyes. The corners of her lips curved upwards, and she gave Nan Chaoyin a sweet smile, "Prime Minister Nan is right. I, Lan, was merely inquiring and have no intention of acting now. I just want to remind the Prime Minister not to forget our agreement."
Nan Chaoyin smiled and nodded, "Naturally, I will not."
After a brief pause, he instructed, "Oh, right, I hope Miss Nan can prepare herself. In a few more days, I will arrange your identity. Once you leave here, please restrain yourself. If any of the household servants offend you, please do me the favor of not taking action yourself, but inform me, and I will handle it for you."
"I understand, Prime Minister Nan, please be assured."
Lan Yue'er stretched her arms, making a gesture of seeing him out.
Nan Chaoyin nodded at her, understanding her meaning, and discreetly withdrew.