Wanqing returned to the pharmacy and busied herself with various bottles, jars, and medicines. After half an hour, she had prepared some medicinal powder, which she carried with her as she stepped out.
“Wanchun, don’t tell Honglian I’ve gone out. She hasn’t fully recovered yet. Remember to stop her if she tries to follow. I’ll be back soon.”
Seeing Wanchun follow her to the front gate, Wanqing ignored the look of concern on her face, thinking of Honglian’s stubbornness. Without hesitation, she gave her instructions and strode out.
“Miss, ah… I suppose this is the only way. I just hope nothing happens to her.”
Wanchun knew she had important business outside but instinctively wanted to stop her. Yet, considering Honglian’s unsteady condition and the fact that she wouldn’t be much help even if she followed, she sighed and clasped her hands in prayer for her mistress’s safety.
Wanqing left Zhuxiang Garden not through the main gate of the Marquis’s residence but through a side entrance.
Outside, she first went to a tailor’s shop to buy a set of men’s clothing. After disguising herself, she rented a carriage and headed straight for West Slope Pavilion.
Unbeknownst to her, someone had spotted her the moment she stepped out of the tailor’s shop.
“That girl, dressed like that—where is she going? Seems she’s leaving the city. Should I report this to the master…?”
It was Baiyu, who had just emerged from a nearby pharmacy with several medicine packages. Seeing Wanqing enter in men’s attire, he followed at a distance. When he saw her rent a carriage and depart, he muttered in surprise.
“Giddy up, giddy up…”
Outside the western suburbs, the setting sun blazed like fire. On a high ridge stood a pavilion meant for travelers to rest, its roof adorned with three gilded characters: “West Slope Pavilion.”
The twilight bathed the entire pavilion in a soft golden glow. However, due to its remote location and the scorching summer heat, the place was unusually quiet.
Lush trees surrounded the pavilion, stretching along the narrow official road in the distance.
“Whoa—” Wanqing spotted the pavilion not far from the roadside trees, recognizing it by the small characters. With a light tug on the reins, she called out cheerfully and dismounted.
“You arrived quite promptly. Dare to share a drink with me?”
Upon reaching the pavilion, Wanqing casually pulled off her headscarf and tossed her outer robe aside, revealing her delicate, neatly adorned face.
Inside the pavilion, a young man dressed in black sat at a stone table, where a jug of wine and two small dishes—one of salted meat and the other of peanuts—were laid out.
Seeing her enter and swiftly revert to her feminine appearance, he raised his cup and drained it in one go, then poured two more glasses, offering one to her.
“Why wouldn’t I dare?”
The black-clad man revealed his true appearance—a lean, cold-faced youth. As he drank, the faintest hint of blue-black discoloration could be seen beneath his fingernails. Wanqing smiled faintly, stepping forward boldly to take the cup he pushed toward her and downing it in one gulp.
“Second Miss Mu is indeed bold. Were our positions not opposed, I’d truly wish to befriend you. Since you have such capacity, dare you drink another?”
As she sat down, though cautious, she steeled herself and took the offered wine. The black-clad man’s gaze lifted slightly as he poured another cup and handed it to her.
“I drank the first cup without issue—why hesitate over the second? But wine can wait. Before we continue, may I see Uncle Zhong? I must confirm his safety before deciding whether to give you what you want.”
Noticing the smug and sinister glint in the man’s eyes as she drank, Wanqing smiled faintly, holding the second cup without drinking and fixing him with a pointed look.
“So, Miss Mu, you’ve brought the item?”
His dark, icy eyes bore into her as he asked.
“Something so important—why would I carry it on me? But once I see Uncle Zhong, I’ll retrieve it for you.”
Meeting his hawk-like gaze, Wanqing smiled again, reiterating her stance.
“Very well. I doubt you can play any tricks. *Clap, clap…*”
The black-clad man studied her intently, as if trying to see through her, then nodded faintly and lightly clapped his hands.
At the sound, several figures emerged from the nearby woods. Leading them was Uncle Zhong, his arms bound behind his back and his mouth gagged, escorted by two men in black.
The old man, seeing her seated with the black-clad man, shook his head helplessly, muffled sounds escaping his lips.
“Fair enough. Then I’ll go fetch the item. Let’s agree to exchange—the person for the goods—once I return.”
Seeing that the old man looked somewhat weary but otherwise unharmed, and that he was frantically signaling for her to leave, Wanqing smiled faintly, raised her cup, and drained it in one go before standing to leave.
“Wait, Second Miss Mu. Take this pill first. The earlier drink was merely a test, but you’ve proven trustworthy. This will ensure you remain unharmed—for now.”
As she turned to leave, the black-clad man, recalling his earlier ploy, stopped her and extended his palm, revealing a black pill.
“So, you don’t trust my integrity? Tsk.”
Wanqing gave a shallow, mocking smile, then boldly took the pill and swallowed it before striding away.
“Release him. All of you, withdraw. With that medicine in her, even if she had three heads and six arms, she couldn’t escape.”
Watching her walk toward the carriage, the black-clad man’s cold, penetrating gaze followed her retreating figure. He then ordered his subordinates to step back, pulling Uncle Zhong to sit beside him as he waited for the exchange.
“Mm—!”
Uncle Zhong, forced to sit, struggled and groaned, distressed by the pill Wanqing had taken. But his muffled protests went unheard as she soon returned.
“The item is here. We’ll exchange on the count of three. Once I confirm Uncle Zhong’s safety, I’ll hand it over.”
Holding a cloth-wrapped bundle that faintly resembled a plaque, Wanqing stood a short distance away, addressing the black-clad man.
“I doubt you can scheme your way out of this. Fine—go ahead.”
Though puzzled by her audacity in meeting him alone, the black-clad man’s eyes gleamed with triumph as he eyed the bundle. Drawing a dagger, he swiftly cut the ropes binding Uncle Zhong and nudged him forward.
“You—”
Uncle Zhong hesitated, conflicted.
“Uncle Zhong, come here. Qing’er promised—whether for your care of me since childhood or your bond with Chunhong, I’d save you. Wait until you’re close before I give him the item.”
Wanqing smiled reassuringly, beckoning him closer.
“Alright.”
Though Uncle Zhong had much to say and wanted her to flee, knowing she’d taken the poison, he steeled himself and stepped toward her.
“Here—”
As Uncle Zhong drew near—one step, two steps—close enough for her to protect him, Wanqing tossed the bundle. Seizing the moment, she grabbed the old man and pulled him to safety.
“Get back! The item is in my hands now. Give my mistress the antidote to the poison you made her take, and I’ll hand it over. Otherwise, I’d rather smash it than give it to you!”
Just as Wanqing tried to shield Uncle Zhong, the old man suddenly pushed her aside. With surprising agility, he leaped forward and snatched the bundle midair. As the black-clad man advanced, Uncle Zhong retreated, holding the bundle aloft in warning.
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