Within two days, Zi Yu received a reply from Zi Ye. However, Zi Yu did not read it first. Instead, she summoned the Twin Evils of Snow Blade and Dao Lang Fei Xiong.
Upon receiving the message, the four rushed from the inn. When they arrived at the grand entrance of the Tai Shen Palace, they found the young gatekeeper waiting for them.
Seeing them arrive, the gatekeeper smiled and respectfully cupped his hands before speaking.
"You are here. The Palace Master instructed me to wait here for you."
Fei Xiong chuckled slightly and cupped his hands in return.
"Then we shall trouble you to lead the way."
"Follow me."
With that, they followed him into the garden. After passing through a riot of flowers and plants, a pavilion appeared ahead.
Zi Yu was seated in the pavilion, with two maids in pink dresses and their hair tied in twin buns standing beside her.
Today was different from the past few days. She had changed back into her usual purple attire and a smile graced her face, indicating she now considered them as her own.
As they approached the pavilion, the gatekeeper bowed slightly and cupped his hands.
"Palace Master, they have arrived."
Zi Yu lazily raised her eyes and waved her hand.
"That will be all, you may go."
"Yes."
She then waved to the people beside her.
"You may also go."
"Yes."
After everyone had left, she invited them in.
"Come in and sit. You were in such a hurry the other day, you didn't get a good look at my garden, did you?"
Xue Gu Cheng turned his head, remembering that they had indeed come and gone in a hurry, and it had been at night when they left, so they hadn't seen it clearly.
He replied,
"We came and left in haste that day and didn't see much. Walking through the garden today, I see it is filled with blooming flowers, a feast for the eyes."
Zi Yu slowly stood up, her gaze falling upon the flower bushes in the distance, and said softly.
"Most of the flowers in this garden were planted by my elder brother.
I thought a man like him wouldn't be able to grow good flowers, but I didn't expect them to bloom so brilliantly."
Fei Xiong asked impatiently.
"Madam, please don't beat around the bush with us. Did you receive a reply by summoning us here?"
Zi Yu laughed heartily, turned around, and said.
"Fei Xiong, Fei Xiong, you are always so impatient. You don't let me speak with any elegance."
Fei Xiong chuckled, speaking honestly.
"Madam knows we are all rough men, only capable of traversing mountains and crossing rivers, not of elegance. It's better to be direct."
"Hahaha, you're right. Then I'll be direct. My elder brother has replied."
The few of them were filled with excitement upon hearing this.
Dao Lang said.
"Madam, what did the General say?"
Zi Yu, unhurriedly, took out the letter from her embrace and handed it to Dao Lang.
"I was so happy that I didn't have time to read it. I thought I'd call you over so you could read it yourselves."
Dao Lang took the letter, opened it in front of everyone, and the others also gathered around, eager to see what was written.
The letter read:
Gu Cheng, I received your and my sister's letter today, which was quite unexpected.
Do you still remember that we met briefly a hundred years ago? Back then, you used to call me Zi Ye Ge Ge.
Now that we meet again, it can only be through letters. I have also thought about what you mentioned.
We still owe Muye a debt of gratitude. If we can repay that debt by saving someone, it would be a good thing.
However, the capital has become busy these past few days, and I fear there may be a war.
But it is also the best time to save Liu Shi Nian. In three days, I will send him out of the dungeon. Meet me at the East Gate.
Zi Ye.
The few of them silently finished reading the letter and were overjoyed to see that Zi Ye was willing to help.
Before this, they had only been trying their luck.
"Have you finished reading?"
Zi Yu asked.
"Mm."
Dao Lang nodded slightly and returned the letter to her. Zi Yu took the letter and burned it with candlelight.
Then she said.
"You have seen my elder brother's thoughts. Since he is willing to save the person, he will definitely be able to bring him out.
You just need to go to the place he mentioned and wait."
Xue Gu Cheng and Yan Wu Shuang suddenly cupped their hands.
"Thank you, Palace Master and your brother, for your assistance. Xue Gu Cheng and Yan Wu Shuang thank you here."
As they spoke, they were about to kneel and kowtow to thank her. Zi Yu stopped them in time. Looking at these loyal and righteous people before her, she felt a sense of deep comfort.
"Since there is nothing else for me to do, I will not keep you any longer. However, if you see Muye, please convey my regards."
Zi Yu still thought of Muye.
"Madam, rest assured, we will deliver your message."
"Madam, we shall take our leave now."
Dao Lang and Fei Xiong stood up and cupped their hands.
Zi Yu nodded slightly, then remembered she should see them off.
"I'll see you out."
"Alright."
The four of them strolled away from the Tai Shen Palace. Zi Yu saw them off to the main gate and watched them depart in the distance. A sense of indescribable melancholy filled her heart.
Meanwhile, by the dungeon, in a military office, Zi Ye sat quietly.
He suddenly stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the soldiers training outside. Turning back, he murmured to himself.
"They must have seen the letter."
With that thought, he began to make arrangements for Liu Shi Nian's rescue.
He slowly walked to the door and called out.
"Someone!"
At that moment, the person guarding the door quickly pushed it open and entered, cupping his hands.
"General, what are your orders?"
"Oh, I haven't been to the dungeon to check yet. I wonder how the new arrivals are doing."
"Do you need me to call the副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general)?"
Zi Ye shook his head slightly.
"No, you have followed me for many years and are my trusted confidant. It's enough to have you with me."
After speaking, he raised his hand and patted the guard's shoulder a few times. The guarding soldier immediately understood and respectfully returned the gesture.
"Yes."
"Mm, follow me."
"Yes."
Zi Ye, under the guise of an inspection, went to the dungeon to visit Liu Shi Nian.
As he walked down the long passage, it would have been pitch black without the torchlight.
He glanced casually. In the drafty cells, everyone was either lying down, making noise, or playing, appearing to have grown accustomed to it.
As he passed the cell where Muye had once stayed, he paused briefly. It was now occupied by someone else.
He smiled faintly and continued walking inside.
In this dungeon, one person stood out. He was confined in the last row of the left-side cells, sitting cross-legged, with his eyes closed, remaining silent.
His hair was disheveled, his clothes messy, and his hands and feet were shackled. He had transformed from a handsome and unrestrained young master into a fallen elder in the dungeon.
Zi Ye stopped in front of the cell door and raised his hand slightly. His subordinate understood his intention and turned back to shout.
"Where is the jailer! Jailer!"
"Alas! I'm here, I'm here..."
The jailer rushed out from a side door in a panic.
Upon reaching them, the subordinate reprimanded him unceremoniously.
"What's going on? The official has arrived, and no one is here to greet him?"
A few prison guards also rushed over in a flurry.
Upon seeing Zi Ye, they all respectfully cupped their hands and bowed.
"Greetings, official."
The jailer quickly explained.
"A few days ago, didn't the official tell us to reform the dungeon? We were discussing it and didn't pay attention to the official. Please forgive us."
Zi Ye was not concerned with these matters and only said.
"Alright, you have worked hard. I am not here for anything else today, but for this notorious criminal. I need to open the cage as I have some questions for him."
"Yes."
With that, the jailer hastily took out his keys and opened the cell door.
Then he added.
"Alright, you may all go and attend to your duties."
"Yes."
After the others retreated, he motioned for his subordinate to guard the door, and he himself entered the cell alone. He waved his hand in front of him, gently stirring the somewhat foul-smelling air.
Only then did he look at the dirty and disheveled person.
"Liu Shi Nian, the renowned wanderer of South Sea City. I've heard of your story with Xue Ji, and you are a rare devoted lover."
Liu Shi Nian slowly raised his head. His dim eyes held a hint of gray.
He then silently lowered his eyelids, remaining silent.
Zi Ye squatted down and couldn't help but sigh.
"I heard your swordsmanship is excellent, and you are a free-spirited person. You shouldn't be so dispirited after entering this place."
Liu Shi Nian did not listen to his words and remained lost in his own world.
Zi Ye knew that he was disheartened, and it was likely related to Muye.
Perhaps, only by letting him know about Muye would he feel better. So he said to him in a low voice.
"Muye is safe. She sent me to rescue you."
A flicker of surprise flashed in Liu Shi Nian's eyes, but it was mixed with disbelief. However, he still harbored some suspicion in his heart.
He smiled faintly, taking it as a joke.
Seeing that he was unmoved, Zi Ye guessed that he must have mistaken him for a bad person.
He explained again in a low voice.
"Please believe me. Muye saved my sister's life. I am here to repay that kindness."
Liu Shi Nian was somewhat half-believing. After being manipulated by Jin Yu Lan, he had become hesitant to trust anyone.
Seeing that he still did not believe, Zi Yu did not want to explain too much. She simply held his hand tightly and said again.
"Don't worry, I will definitely get you out."
As she spoke, she was about to get up, but Liu Shi Nian suddenly asked.
"Where is she?"
Zi Ye shook his head and gently placed his index finger on his lips. Liu Shi Nian also quietly became still.
Zi Ye smiled knowingly and then walked out of the cell as if nothing had happened, instructing his subordinate to call the jailer.
When the jailer arrived, he appeared somewhat angry.
"This prisoner is very stubborn. I need to interrogate him personally. Drag him out and take him to the interrogation room."
"Yes."
The jailer beckoned to a few people. They entered the cell, dragged Liu Shi Nian out, and took him to the interrogation room in the corner, where he was tied to a chair.
Zi Ye followed leisurely. Upon entering the interrogation room, he waved his hand.
"Alright, you may go. Stand guard outside."
"Yes."
After everyone left, he untied Liu Shi Nian and said to him in a low voice.
"Take off your clothes."
Liu Shi Nian was somewhat confused. Zi Ye added.
"Don't worry."
Liu Shi Nian then became certain that he was here to rescue him.
At this moment, the door outside was suddenly opened, and Zi Ye's subordinate entered. Judging by his build, he was similar to Liu Shi Nian, and with a little disguise, his appearance would be indistinguishable.
Zi Ye pointed at Liu Shi Nian, who understood and then removed his clothes to exchange with Liu Shi Nian.
After everything was settled, he opened the door and said with a hint of anger.
"This prisoner is very stubborn and refused to say anything. Take him away and starve him for thirty to fifty days. Let's see if his mouth is still so hard."
"Yes."
Zi Ye nodded with satisfaction, placing his hands behind his back.
"Follow me."
After they had dragged away the fake Liu Shi Nian, he glanced at the door before leading the real Liu Shi Nian out of the prison.
Then, he took him to his residence, pushed back his hair, and saw his somewhat dark and thin face.
He also noticed many whip marks on his arms and back. He hadn't expected those people to resort to private punishment, and he felt a surge of indignation.
"These people are becoming more and more arrogant and overbearing. They dare to inflict punishment privately. It must have been hard on you."
Liu Shi Nian shook his head slightly and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"It's nothing. As long as Muye is alright, that's all that matters."
Speaking of Muye, Zi Ye had much to say.
"After we parted ways in Bei Shen Du, Muye and I haven't met again. Receiving her letter now is quite unexpected.
However, I am quite happy that she is still the same as before."
Liu Shi Nian smiled faintly and offered his own opinion.
"Yes, she is always like this, thinking of others."
Zi Ye stood up and walked to the cabinet, taking a white medicine bottle from the top shelf.
He poured out three Su Ji Pills and handed them to him.
"Take some of these. They will be good for your injuries."
Liu Shi Nian took the pills and swallowed them in one gulp. Zi Ye then poured him a cup of tea.
Liu Shi Nian took the tea and drank it all. After a moment, he seemed to regain some semblance of life.
Zi Ye then said to Liu Shi Nian.
"Tomorrow at noon, someone will be waiting for you at the East Gate. Rest well tonight, and I will personally escort you there tomorrow night."
Liu Shi Nian was filled with gratitude and trembling, he cupped his hands in thanks.
"Thank, thank you for saving my life. I, I must repay this life-saving kindness one day."
Zi Ye laughed heartily and told him.
"There's no need for this kindness. After all, we owe Muye, so consider this as repaying her."
Liu Shi Nian felt a warmth in his heart and also smiled.
"I never expected that one day I would have to rely on Muye."
"Everyone has difficult times. Being able to help is also a form of destiny."
"Indeed."
"Alright, you should rest well. I have some work to attend to."
"Okay."
With that, Zi Ye walked out and closed the door behind him.
Liu Shi Nian sat in the spacious room, a rare sweet smile appearing on his face.
He slowly walked to the window and looked down, seeing the soldiers training in the courtyard. He felt a little worried and quickly closed the window, walking back inside.
On the other side, Xue Gu Cheng, Yan Wu Shuang, Dao Lang, and Fei Xiong had already arrived outside the city.
Dao Lang lay on the ground, a blade of grass in his mouth, waiting leisurely.
Fei Xiong, however, had a hint of worry on his face.
"I wonder if we can successfully pick up Liu Shi Nian?"
Xue Gu Cheng stood in front, his gaze fixed on the city. Hearing Fei Xiong's concern, he crossed his arms, turned his head, and said to him.
"I think we can. With Zi Ye's abilities, saving someone shouldn't be too difficult."
"That's true. I just wonder how Liu Shi Nian is doing? Will he be disfigured?"
"Some physical suffering is unavoidable, but there shouldn't be any major problems."
"That's also true."
After a few casual remarks, the few of them resumed their silent wait.