Knowing the Warmth of Southern Tea (GL) - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The two of them wandered the night market together. Many years later, Wen Cha would look back on this as the turning point—the moment she fell for Nan Nuan. The night scene, the fireworks, and the person smiling at her… everything was so beautiful.

Just because I caught an extra glimpse of you in the crowd, I could never forget your face again.

“Nuan Nuan, where are we going next?” Wen Cha asked, operating on the principle that since they were inseparable anyway, she would follow wherever Nan Nuan went.

“We are going to Qingzhou. We must move quickly; it is already the Hour of the Ox (between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM),” Nan Nuan replied. Since they would arrive sooner or later, there was no harm in telling Wen Cha.

Although this hour wasn’t considered late for the never-sleeping Bing Market, it was late for Nan Nuan, who lived year-round in the capital. At this hour, a sense of unease always crept in.

“Okay.” Wen Cha followed Nan Nuan obediently, falling silent. The inn where they stayed was some distance from the entertainment district; without a carriage, it would take some effort to get back.

Nan Nuan led Wen Cha away from the most prosperous streets. As it grew late, the streets where markets had long since closed were deserted.

Suddenly, Nan Nuan pulled Wen Cha toward the inner wall of a shop.

“Stay here.” Nan Nuan turned to leave.

“What’s wrong?” Wen Cha grabbed Nan Nuan’s sleeve and wouldn’t let go.

“Be good, don’t cause trouble.” Wen Cha was speechless and silently let go. It was true—her amateur martial arts skills couldn’t help and would likely only get in the way. She released her grip.

“It will be over in a moment,” Nan Nuan comforted her, feeling a trace of guilt. She shouldn’t have involved Wen Cha in this. Then again, the girl had brought this upon herself.

“Then you must remain unharmed.”

“Don’t worry,” Nan Nuan smiled and turned to walk in the opposite direction.

“An Yi, guard Wen Cha.”

“Understood,” An Yi replied.

“An Si, you take the right. An San, you take the left. This is a fight with our backs to the wall; I’m counting on you all.”

“Understood!” Nan Nuan hadn’t brought many people on this trip. She hadn’t expected her whereabouts to be leaked. Since this journey was an impromptu decision, how could anyone have known? Unless… she had drawn the attention of someone’s hounds.

Nan Nuan used a dagger to rip her back skirt for mobility. In an instant, many figures in black appeared from the surroundings, charging with sabers drawn.

“Kill!” Nan Nuan gave the order, and the slaughter began. Although An Yi was guarding Wen Cha by the wall, he was also surrounded. A distress signal had been sent, but it was unclear if help would arrive in time. The origin and strength of these assassins were unknown. Furthermore, while An Yi, An San, and An Si each had their specialties, not all were experts in group combat. An Yi was a powerful swordsman who could take on ten men, but could he handle a hundred? A thousand? Guarding a Nan Nuan with limited combat power made him even more stretched thin.

Nan Nuan fought ruthlessly. An Er and An San were also locked in a bitter struggle, their bodies accumulating wounds.

Wen Cha watched the battle nervously, terrified for Nan Nuan. She suddenly hated her own powerlessness. Why hadn’t she mastered martial arts before leaving home? She was being a burden for nothing.

Suddenly, a man in black lunged toward Nan Nuan’s back. Wen Cha jumped out of An Yi’s protective circle and ran toward Nan Nuan. An Yi turned his head, but she was already gone; he couldn’t stop her.

“Nan Nuan, look out!” Wen Cha screamed, using her own body to block the sword.

“Wen Cha!” Nan Nuan swung back, striking the assassin down, and pulled Wen Cha to her. Simultaneously, a searing pain erupted across her own back.

This couldn’t go on. If it continued, they would all perish here. Nan Nuan tried to think of a way out while protecting Wen Cha.

“My, my, it seems we’ve arrived a bit late, Father!” A woman’s voice suddenly rang out. Nan Nuan turned to see a woman in purple casual clothes, holding a whip. Standing beside her was a man—the very constable they had met earlier that day. Behind them followed a large group of government soldiers.

There is always a way out… The situation shifted instantly.

“You are fighting privately in Bing Market, violating the laws of Bingzhou. You are hereby under arrest!” Zhuang looked at the woman beside him with a helpless smile before speaking sternly. If you hadn’t insisted on following me, how could we have been late?

Seeing the officials arrive, the men in black immediately retreated. The soldiers gave chase to corner them. The woman in purple joined the fray, her whip snapping through the air with reckless abandon. In a flash, the tides turned.

“Father, Father! They are suicide squads (dead soldiers); no survivors.”

“I know. Withdraw. Take these few back,” Zhuang pointed at Nan Nuan and the others. What a coincidence—meeting them in the morning and again at night.

“May I ask if you are Master Zhuang?” Nan Nuan asked, having made a judgment about the newcomer’s identity.

“That is indeed I. What can I do for you?” Zhuang asked.

“Please, Master, save a life. I am Nan Nuan, daughter of General Nan and sister of Nan Wei. My brother said that Master Zhuang is an old acquaintance of the Crown Prince, and if I encountered trouble in Bingzhou, I should ask for your help. Please save my companion,” Nan Nuan pleaded. Actually, she had overheard the Crown Prince telling her brother that if he ever went to Bingzhou and found trouble, he should seek his mentor. Nan Nuan had “adjusted” the wording; even if it was a lie, no one could verify it now.

“Xingyue, take those three to the yamen. I will save this one,” Zhuang ordered. He had indeed received word from some “annoying people” to look after Nan Nuan in Bingzhou. Furthermore, the distress signal was very familiar—it hadn’t changed in years. That was why Zhuang had arrived so promptly. Though, he still despised the signal for being so unoriginal.

“An Yi, An Er, An San—follow Miss Xingyue.”

“Understood.”

“Dad! You better not be finding me a stepmother!” Xingyue shouted. Following her father’s orders, she led the soldiers and escorted the three guards to the yamen. Though wounded, their injuries were not life-threatening.

“Shut up. Follow her,” Zhuang said helplessly. He stepped toward Nan Nuan, took Wen Cha from her arms into a horizontal carry, and used Qinggong (lightweight skill) to speed away. Nan Nuan followed close behind.

Why had the rescue arrived so perfectly? And if they were suicide squads, why was there no poison on their blades? There were two possibilities: one, this was a test by her own people; two, they didn’t have time for detailed preparation.

If it were a test by her own people, there was no need to do it here. Moreover, this trip was a sudden command and the decision to leave was made only that afternoon; who could arrange such a rushed assassination?

The silver in Bingzhou, the people around the Crown Prince…

It seemed this was a test. That bastard. That bastard Crown Prince actually used me as bait to see if there were moles around him. Just wait until I get back to the capital; I won’t let her off easily.

Nan Nuan figured out the cause and effect while still on the road.