Xiyun Pavilion – Third Floor
Song Xiaoguo sat at her desk, flipping through recent documents.
She had arrived early, coming directly to Mobei after their last parting to personally oversee the establishment of Xiyun Pavilion.
However, for some unknown reason, the Nightingale branch of Xiyun Pavilion had encountered particular difficulties here.
While the people were hospitable and friendly, they were also exceptionally cautious.
Song Xiaoguo mused that this might be due to Mobei's proximity to Beiman; in such a mixed populace, caution was necessary.
Furthermore, since her master had arrived, the situation here had become increasingly chaotic.
She had already identified three factions, not including those lurking in the shadows.
The first was led by Zuo Suiran, representing the forces of the Great Yuan Dynasty.
Next was Hong Xing, who, if Song Xiaoguo's guess was correct, was a local figure.
However, she suspected that this Hong Xing was merely a minor player.
The last was Shuiyun Jian, across the way. From what she understood, Shuiyun Jian had been developing for five or six years.
If her assumption was correct, this place likely served as an intelligence-gathering hub.
After all, establishments like these pleasure houses and inns were the best places to gather information.
She had attempted to place a Nightingale in Shuiyun Jian, but they claimed not to accept girls. Not only did they send her away, but they also arranged other suitable livelihoods for her.
Ultimately, it took Song Xiaoguo considerable effort to place a Nightingale who was skilled in cooking.
She could only wonder how much information this cook would be able to gather.
The thought alone gave her a headache.
Xiyun Pavilion had been established for five or six years. While its main influence was concentrated in Chang'an, it had a presence across the country. It wasn't exactly famous, but it was certainly influential.
They had simply never considered Mobei.
After all, her father had always been stationed in the south; who would have thought to venture north?
Song Xiaoguo sighed, then rose to seal the letter and hand it to the attendant waiting nearby.
The attendant took the letter and departed.
Song Xiaoguo walked to the window and pushed it open slightly.
She gazed downwards at the scene opposite. Shuiyun Jian remained lively in the daylight, with songs and dances filling the air, as if oblivious to the approaching chaos.
The wind blew snowflakes into the room. Although they quickly melted from the heat of the brazier, the slight chill caused her to shiver involuntarily.
The path ahead was perilous…
Everything suggested that the conflict had only just begun…
"Miss, what shall we do now?"
What to do?
Song Qingchao didn't know either.
However, she didn't have the luxury of pondering it at the moment.
Her current situation was quite dire.
Her gaze swept over a group of burly men opposite. Although lean, their well-defined muscles were evident.
Men with such physiques were strong workers.
If their nutrition were improved, they might even form a formidable army.
The people present likely wouldn't understand her inner thoughts.
But if Xiaoguo, who had followed her since childhood, saw them, she would undoubtedly retreat far away.
After all, whatever Song Qingchao wanted, she would obtain.
By any means necessary. If she couldn't get it, she would destroy it.
Therefore, she always found a way.
As the saying goes, the tough fear the stubborn, and the stubborn fear those who risk their lives.
At all times, she was the one who risked her life.
Moreover, she had already guessed the identity of the leader opposite.
As expected, when the men parted, a tall, robust man emerged from behind. The black band on his forehead was deeply etched in Song Qingchao's memory.
She hadn't yet understood what he had meant by "reciprocity" during their last encounter, and then she lost the opportunity.
She hadn't expected to meet again in such a manner.
"Miss Song, it's been a while. Are you well?"
The man's voice remained low.
However, looking at him, Song Qingchao truly couldn't connect him with the youngest son of the wealthiest Su family, who appeared so formidable.
She would have believed him if he were called a bodyguard.
She now suspected that her younger brother and this Su Nanyi had been switched at birth.
After all, Mumu possessed all the qualities of a wealthy family's youngest son.
Song Qingchao quickly dismissed this chaotic thought.
Although neither of them had particularly good tempers, Mumu was still a bit more likable.
"Miss Song?" Su Nanyi's voice called out again.
"Yes, it is you," Song Qingchao responded. "Is there a reason for this display?"
She stood upright, appearing as though a gust of wind would topple her.
Su Nanyi smiled, then gestured for the people behind him to step back. "Miss Song needn't worry, we mean no harm. We merely wish to discuss a business matter with you."
Song Qingchao tightened her cloak and spoke softly, "Discuss business?"
"Yes."
He walked forward step by step, aiming to display his sincerity.
However, Siwu Liu, a group of three, remained highly defensive towards him.
"Miss Song, why are you so afraid of me?"
Song Qingchao simply laughed, gesturing for Siwu Liu to retreat slightly.
"But, is this place the way you made it?"
Su Nanyi shook his head. "No, but I know that last night, a man in white clothes went mad here practicing swordplay. Oh, no, it seems he was using a fan as his weapon."
He dropped the wood shavings he was holding. "It's a pity about these trees."
Song Qingchao: "..."
She understood everything now. The person Su Nanyi was referring to was undoubtedly Bai You'an.
Thinking of Bai You'an's state last night…
Song Qingchao refused to think further. It was all her fault…
"Why are you blushing?" Su Nanyi asked, looking puzzled. "Could it be that you know that person?"
"No," Song Qingchao quickly retorted, covering her mouth with her hand and coughing. "Tell me, what business do you wish to discuss, why are you waiting for me here, and how did you know you would find me here?"
Song Qingchao asked three questions in rapid succession, attempting to divert Su Nanyi's attention.
She just hoped he wouldn't dwell on last night's events.
She was truly too embarrassed to face it!
As she had expected, Su Nanyi steered the conversation back.
"Let me answer your last two questions first."
Song Qingchao nodded and said, "Alright."
"We were originally stationed on the other side of this mountain. The first day, we managed to hunt some prey, but for some reason, on the second day, the prey here vanished as if by magic. So, when we went out to find food recently, we had to travel further. However, when we came to this area, we saw many people carrying processed meat. Out of curiosity, we inquired and learned that someone here was distributing meat in exchange for labor."
Song Qingchao smiled faintly. "So you believe that person is me?"
She felt no guilt. It was true that the prey had been hunted by them.
But it was unclaimed property; whoever caught it owned it. She felt no remorse.
If she were accused of stripping the mountain bare of its food and committing an unforgivable sin, she would not agree.
Being able to hunt all the prey was also a skill. Moreover, she had distributed the food to those less capable. What wrong had she done?
"Yes, besides you, I can't think of anyone else with such capability."
As he finished speaking.
The makeshift weapon in his hand was suddenly placed at Song Qingchao's neck with a "swish."
"I wish to speak with you alone."