Chapter 47: “Hurry! Don’t Let Her Escape!”

Yihuan smiled softly.

“Let’s hope Madam Tian won’t resent me for poaching her worker.”

Qing Nu chuckled. “I’ll make sure she knows it was my decision to leave—it won’t affect your relationship with her.”

Yihuan thought to herself, This kid… he’s quite perceptive.

At that moment, a maid named Cui’er hurried over. Spotting Yihuan, she exclaimed, “Miss Yihuan, thank goodness you’re still here!”

Yihuan found her familiar but couldn’t immediately recall where she’d seen her before.

Cui’er explained, “I’m Miss Yunming’s maid. I’ve accompanied her to your shop to buy cakes before… Remember?”

With this reminder, Yihuan remembered. Though it had been a while since Yunming last visited after her shop started supplying Qianjiao Pavilion.

“What does your mistress need from me?” Yihuan asked.

With a sly smile, Cui’er said, “My mistress would like to see you. Would you grant her this favor?”

Though surprised, Yihuan, recalling the night’s events, decided it would be worthwhile to meet Yunming despite the late hour.

Exiting the kitchen, she followed Cui’er through the garden towards the main building.

Hidden in the shadows, a pair of eyes watched them intently.

“That’s the cook Liu Hexiao fancies,” someone whispered.

The speaker, Zhang Luan, narrowed his eyes. “To think she managed to subdue someone as headstrong as Hongyu. She’s certainly interesting.”

Zhang Luan had not visited Qianjiao Pavilion for some time. Coming on a whim, he had spotted Liu Hexiao from afar and instinctively chose to stay hidden in a private corner upstairs to avoid him.

“Have they left yet?” he asked his servant in a low voice.

The servant replied, “Young Master Cao got into a spat with Miss Ziyan and drank quite a bit. I saw Lord He take him to the carriage personally. Most likely, Liu Hexiao went with them.”

Hearing this, Zhang Luan smirked, his expression tinged with malice. “So the little cook will be alone later?”

—

Inside the grand boudoir of Qianjiao Pavilion’s Flower Queen, Yihuan felt a strange sense of familiarity, almost as if she were back at the Prime Minister’s residence.

The room was elegantly arranged, resembling the chambers of an aristocratic young lady, complete with a pearwood canopy bed, ornate vanity, and a delicate fragrance wafting through the air.

No wonder so many women chase after the title of Flower Queen, she mused. Even in the depths of despair, who wouldn’t want a more comfortable life?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a gentle, melodious voice. “Miss Yihuan, please come in.”

Standing at the doorway, Yihuan stepped into the inner chamber upon hearing Yunming’s invitation.

Having just removed her dance attire, Yunming now wore a simple outfit that enhanced her refined and ethereal beauty. She greeted Yihuan with a warm smile. “Please, have a seat.”

Yihuan nodded, seating herself at the baxian table.

“Miss Yunming, may I ask why you summoned me at this hour?”

Still smiling, Yunming replied, “I was curious about how you managed to get Hongyu to approach me and apologize willingly.”

Remaining composed, Yihuan said, “I simply reasoned with her.”

Yunming studied her for a moment before saying, “Regardless of your intentions, I owe you my thanks.” She paused, her tone growing colder. “But I, Yunming, do not like to owe favors. If there’s something you need, I can help you with one thing.”

The calm demeanor and faint chill in her voice carried a certain peculiarity.

Yihuan chuckled. “Are you saying you’d commit arson or murder for me?”

Yunming’s face stiffened momentarily. This was the second time they had interacted—the first involved a gift of cake, and now, a significant favor. It felt too coincidental.

Having witnessed the complexities of the world, Yunming was naturally skeptical of such generosity.

Noticing Yunming’s guarded expression, Yihuan said, “There’s no need to overthink this. I simply stumbled upon what Hongyu was planning and decided to step in. It was a small matter, and I have no intention of leveraging it against you.”

Yunming, after a moment of reflection, asked, “Really?”

“Really,” Yihuan affirmed.

Rising from her seat, Yihuan added, “If you called me here to confirm that, you can rest assured. It’s late, and I’ll take my leave.”

“Wait,” Yunming said softly, raising her eyes to meet Yihuan’s. “I apologize… I judged you wrongly.”

Yihuan dismissed it with a light laugh. “Don’t worry.”

After some thought, Yunming said, “Since you’ve shown such concern for me, I may be able to help you in return during the Flower Queen procession ceremony.”

Turning back to face her, Yihuan saw sincerity in Yunming’s eyes, a marked change from her earlier wariness.

Yihuan smiled slightly. “Alright.”

—

The summer night had grown late, and the occasional chirping of cicadas could be heard.

When Yihuan stepped out of Qianjiao Pavilion, the once-bustling Tianshui Alley had fallen silent. Only a few drunken voices echoed sporadically, their rowdiness cutting through the stillness and stirring a faint unease.

Yihuan hesitated briefly, but with no other choice, she steeled herself and continued walking forward.

After a few steps, she heard footsteps behind her, matching her pace. Her heart tensed as she instinctively tightened her grip on the small dagger hidden in her sleeve.

This dagger was one she had borrowed from Yunming, specifically for protection.

She strained her ears, listening carefully. When she quickened her pace, the footsteps behind her grew hurried as well. Feeling increasingly anxious, she walked faster, her trembling fingers clenching the weapon tightly.

“Xie Yihuan!”

A familiar voice rang out, and Yihuan stopped in her tracks abruptly, turning around in surprise.

Behind her stood Liu Hexiao, wearing an expression of mild exasperation. “Why are you walking so fast? In a rush to pick up money off the ground?”

Yihuan was momentarily stunned. “Shizi… why is it you?”

Seeing Liu Hexiao, Yihuan instinctively let out a breath of relief.

Liu Hexiao chuckled softly. “Who else would it be? Why did it take you so long to come out?”

Yihuan looked up at him quizzically. “Were you waiting for me?”

Liu Hexiao paused, his lips twitching slightly. “As if. I just didn’t feel like going back too early.”

Yihuan said, “Oh… I thought it was some scoundrel following me, and I was frightened.”

Liu Hexiao frowned slightly.

Tonight, while sitting in the main hall of Qianjiao Pavilion, he had overheard countless guests discussing the food from Shengjing Dessert Shop. Some even boasted about having seen the beautiful proprietress of the shop, enthusiastically describing her appearance in great detail.

Unable to bear it, he had already chased one group away… Now, looking at Yihuan, he remarked, “Xie Yihuan, as a young lady, can you avoid coming to Tianshui Alley so often?”

Yihuan lowered her gaze. “I’m aware that this place is a mix of good and bad people, but the business here is the easiest to get a foothold in. Only by doing well here can I have the chance to expand elsewhere.”

Liu Hexiao raised an eyebrow. “So your ambitions lie beyond this?”

Yihuan smiled lightly. “Naturally.”

As they talked, the two walked forward together.

Yihuan said, “Tianshui Alley is just the first step. Once I save enough capital, I plan to try my luck in the Eastern Market.”

Liu Hexiao nodded slightly. “The Eastern Market is a good choice.”

It’s much closer to Prince Qi Manor.

Yihuan continued, “But I haven’t yet figured out where to start. Wealthy households all have their own kitchen staff, and outside food is mostly just a novelty…”

Liu Hexiao shook his head. “Not necessarily. In large households, the kitchens aren’t always particularly good. With so many mouths to feed, the cooks’ priority is to avoid mistakes and ensure the food is edible since tastes vary. This makes their skills broad but shallow.”

He chuckled. “Take me, for example. If I can avoid eating at home, I will. After so many years, I can tell what every dish tastes like just by looking at it.”

Yihuan couldn’t help but laugh. “Then if you eat too much of my food, won’t it be the same?”

Liu Hexiao blurted out, “Your cooking is different.”

Yihuan was momentarily taken aback. “How is it different?”

Liu Hexiao suddenly felt awkward and cleared his throat lightly, just as he was about to respond.

But his expression suddenly shifted, and he reached out to wrap his arm around Yihuan’s waist.

Yihuan was caught off guard and exclaimed, “Shizi!?”

Liu Hexiao’s hand was large and warm, firmly holding her in place. His expression turned cold, and he whispered, “Shh—keep walking and listen to me…”

Sensing the seriousness in his voice, Yihuan’s heart trembled, but she obediently followed his lead. Thankfully, it was dark, or he might have noticed the flush spreading across her face.

Liu Hexiao leaned closer, speaking quietly. “Someone’s following us… and there are quite a few of them.”

He glanced around inconspicuously, noticing that there weren’t many hiding spots nearby—just a few abandoned stalls scattered with odds and ends. They had to move quickly.

Yihuan’s heart skipped a beat as she leaned closer to him and whispered, “What should we do? Who are they?”

Liu Hexiao’s expression grew heavier. “I don’t know… but anyone sneaking around at night isn’t likely to have good intentions. We’ll deal with it as it comes.”

He tightened his hold on Yihuan, their intimate posture resembling that of an ordinary couple sharing quiet words.

Liu Hexiao advised, “We’re not far from Changming Street. If they attack before we get there, I’ll hold them off, and you’ll run home and Lock the doors behind you.”

Yihuan’s eyes widened. “You’ll face them alone?”

Liu Hexiao glanced at her. “Why not? I’ve never lost a fight.”

Yihuan imitated his earlier tone, leaning closer as if playfully flirting, and whispered, “Should I run farther to get help?”

Her soft voice brushed his ear like a feather, sending a subtle shiver through him.

Liu Hexiao whispered back, “No need. Help wouldn’t come in time. If you’re caught on the way, it’ll be even more dangerous. Just hide in your house—then you can call for the neighbors. That will make them wary.”

Yihuan felt a slight tremor in her heart. Liu Hexiao had thought through every detail, even planning her safe escape. She instinctively tugged at his sleeve. “But what about you?”

Raising an eyebrow, Liu Hexiao smirked. “Worried about me?”

Yihuan’s face flushed with heat. She glared at him, flustered. “Is this the time for jokes!?”

Seeing her puffed-up cheeks, Liu Hexiao found her utterly endearing. He suddenly reached out and poked her face, startling her into an even redder blush.

In a softer tone, Liu Hexiao reassured her, “I’m a man; what could possibly happen to me? Besides, I’m the Liu Shizi. They wouldn’t dare take my life. When the time comes, you run—don’t look back.”

Yihuan pressed her lips together, hesitating before handing him the dagger hidden in her sleeve. “Take this.”

Liu Hexiao chuckled and gently pushed it back. “I don’t need a child’s toy. You keep it for yourself.”

Before his words could settle, a sudden and powerful force swept toward them from behind!

Reacting swiftly, Liu Hexiao shoved Yihuan forward. “Run!”

He spun around to face the assailant, skillfully deflecting the fierce strike aimed directly at him. The man, clad in black, attacked relentlessly, aiming for Liu Hexiao’s face.

Within moments, two more black-clad figures joined the fray. The fight grew intense, the clash of moves creating a deadly dance.

Amid the chaos, a shout rang out: “Kill him first! Then grab the woman!”