Chapter 58: Boundless Horizons!

Liu Xinru was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered. She was a clever woman—how could she not perceive the deeper meaning and hidden implications in Yang Xueruo’s words? A trace of sorrow swept through her heart, yet she resolutely knelt down and bowed, “I willingly enter the Yang household as a servant, to attend upon the young lady for life, and will never regret it!”

Yang Xueruo smiled lightly and waved her hand. “If that is so, I will speak to my father. Miss Liu, be patient and wait calmly.”

After saying this, Yang Xueruo cast a deep glance at the two women prostrate upon the ground, then turned and departed.

She sympathized with Liu Xinru’s plight and wished to save them. But aside from keeping Liu Xinru by her side as a maid, there was no better option. Only in this way might Yang Qi agree to release Liu Xinru, using his authority to suppress the matter, turning a major calamity into a minor one, and a minor one into nothing.

To fall from the gates of the brothel directly into the mansion as a slave—proud and lofty as she was, Liu Xinru naturally felt unwilling. But now, she had no room for hesitation. To live as a servant was preferable to losing her life, and to remain by the side of Yang Xueruo, the eldest daughter of the Yang family, was, in some sense, better than becoming a concubine in some noble house.

Yang Xueruo and Hongmian hurriedly left the prison cell, standing outside in the open air beneath the night sky, each took a deep breath of fresh air, their expressions slowly returning to calm.

Hongmian could not help but softly say, “Miss, do you truly intend to take in Liu Xinru?”

Yang Xueruo smiled faintly. “Hongmian, they have fallen on hard times. We cannot stand by and do nothing, don’t you agree?”

Hongmian murmured assent. She too came from poverty as a maid, and felt a deep empathy for Liu Xinru and Tian’er’s plight. The psychological shock from the harsh prison environment made her long for her mistress to immediately command the two girls be brought out.

Yet Hongmian knew this was not realistic. This was no trivial matter—even if Yang Xueruo sought to rescue Liu Xinru by making her a maid, she would need Yang Qi’s consent and cooperation. Without Yang Qi’s approval, Liu Xinru’s status could not be cleansed, nor could she gain true safety.

Yang Residence.

Yang Qi’s study.

The chief steward, Yang Kuan, hurried over. Seeing the study brightly lit, he hesitated, not immediately knocking, but respectfully stood beneath the eaves, waiting for his master’s summons.

Yang Kuan had come to report the news that Zhou An and his son had hastily left the city. Yet, as he approached, he realized that nothing in Jiangning County could escape the notice of his master, the so-called “King of Jiangnan.” News of the Zhou family’s flight must have already reached Yang Qi’s ears; that Yang Qi allowed it, without hindrance, meant much.

Yang Qi was unconcerned, for he knew that the Zhou clan could flee, but the temple would remain. By not stopping Zhou An and his son, he signaled that he would not pursue the Zhou family’s secret machinations regarding Liu Xinru. In this way, the Zhou family owed him a great favor. And Yang Qi’s favors were not easily won—each was worth millions in gold!

Inside the study, Yang Qi wrote swiftly, pen flying across the page. He was drafting a probing letter to a certain high-ranking official in the court, seeking to test the mood and reaction of Li Heng’s small regime and to gauge whether he might seize an opportunity to carve out his own power in Jiangnan.

After a long while, the letter was finished. He dried the ink, carefully folded it, placed it in a leather envelope, and sealed it with a fire stamp. Then, he glanced at the shadowy figure standing outside and spoke in a deep voice, “Yang Kuan, come in!”

Yang Kuan entered respectfully, bowing. “Greetings, master.”

“Yang Kuan, send a capable and reliable person to Lingwu immediately, to deliver this letter. There must be no mistake. Of course, prepare a generous gift to accompany it. Do you understand?” Yang Qi’s voice was firm and powerful.

“Yes, master. Please rest assured.” Yang Kuan received the letter with both hands.

He was about to withdraw when Yang Qi spoke again, “I hear Xueruo went to the prison to visit the singer Liu Xinru?”

“Yes, master. The young lady visited, and… and word from the prison is that she intends to take that singer as a maid to keep by her side. I wonder, master…” Yang Kuan stammered.

Yang Qi was momentarily surprised, then burst out laughing. “Xueruo is indeed clever! Very well, she does need more attendants. If she wishes it, let her have it. Yang Kuan, handle this matter discreetly—do not leave outsiders with grounds for gossip, understood?”

Yang Kuan nodded respectfully. “I understand. Please rest assured, master, I will attend to this with utmost care.”

Yang Qi waved him off, signaling that Yang Kuan could leave.

Liu Xinru had no notion that, in the light exchange between Yang Qi and his servant, her fate had been changed. She had found new life, and the storm entwined with her was thus resolved.

The news that Liu Xinru, the famed singer of Rose Pavilion, had entered the Yang household as the attendant to the Yang family’s heiress, Yang Xueruo, quickly spread throughout the city. Such news could hardly remain hidden; it soon became the talk of both the elite and the common folk.

Beyond the city, the cold wind was fierce, carrying damp river air and chilling all it touched. Kong Sheng tightened his cloak, gripping the Broken Barbarian Sword, leading his horse, Windchaser, as he strode toward Mu Changfeng, clad in white, not far ahead.

From a distance, Mu Changfeng raised his hand in greeting. “Greetings, young master!”

Today, Mu Changfeng’s demeanor had changed markedly from before. Kong Sheng’s heart stirred, and he responded with a smile and a salute. “Brother Mu!”

Kong Sheng was unaware that, over the past days, Mu Changfeng had been quietly observing his every move. Kong Sheng was the kind of man whose charm only deepened the more one understood him. Especially as Kong Sheng had, with a mere gesture, resolved what Mu Changfeng had seen as an utterly hopeless crisis—this won Mu Changfeng’s deep admiration.

In learning, depth, temperament, strategy, and courage, Kong Sheng was truly exceptional—a dragon among men. Such a person, once given the chance, would surely soar. In Mu Changfeng’s mind, Kong Sheng’s place was rising to unprecedented heights. As for the earlier promise, made under duress, to remain as Kong Sheng’s bodyguard, Mu Changfeng no longer felt any reluctance.

“I heard Miss Liu of Rose Pavilion entered the Yang household… Originally, I thought her fate was sealed, and you would suffer disgrace and infamy as a result. But who could have predicted such an outcome? Truly, the world is like a game of chess—impossible to foresee!” Mu Changfeng sighed. “Petty folk are like ants; their lives and deaths beyond their own control.”

“Those sordid little schemes are not worth mention. Some use and abuse women like Miss Liu, such wretched souls deserve condemnation! Yet, for her, this outcome may not be without hope. Staying by Xueruo’s side, she will not be bullied again, and her life will be safe,” Kong Sheng replied quietly, his gaze deep as he looked out at the mist-shrouded riverbank, hazy and indistinct.

“Word is that Yang Qi, Lord Yang, has recommended you to the court as magistrate of Danyang County—is it true?” Mu Changfeng’s robes fluttered as he turned to Kong Sheng.

Kong Sheng smiled, recognizing both a test and an implicit promise in Mu Changfeng’s words—he was willing to fulfill his vow to stay as a bodyguard for three years.

What was once a whimsical remark now seemed serendipitous. To have a martial master like Mu Changfeng, capable of soaring through the world, as a companion, was a boon Kong Sheng would not refuse.

“The recommendation is real. Yet, Brother Mu, you must know—between Jiangnan and the court lies a long journey, with rebels and traitors in between. Whether Lord Yang’s petition even reaches the court is, in truth, a matter of uncertainty,” Kong Sheng’s tone was meaningful, though he did not elaborate.

Mu Changfeng raised an eyebrow. “Then, what plans do you have for the future?”

“Looking out upon the world—the sea is broad, the sky boundless!” Kong Sheng exhaled deeply, speaking each word with conviction.