Chapter 385: Didn’t You Say You Wouldn’t Come? (1)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
With the renovation of Dye Workshop Street, merchants and workers came to the street, and the buildings here were naturally no longer idle. The previously deserted street was now lit up with more and more lights.
Luo Ning led her horse through Dye Workshop Street and looked around at the changes around her. The bird was standing on the horse’s head, staring at the snacks in Luo Ning’s hand, occasionally chirping.
When Luo Ning reached the entrance of Double Osmanthus Alley, she raised her hand to signal for silence and asked the bird to watch the horse. She tiptoed into the alley, looking like a young mother coming back from work at night and secretly checking if her daughter was obedient.
When Luo Ning arrived at the South Firmament Mountains back then, Yunli had still been a three or four-year-old girl. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that she had watched her grow up. She knew Yunli’s personality very well.
According to Luo Ning’s speculation, Yunli must have gone crazy after she was out for so long. At this time, Yunli was either not at home or copying books frantically to make up for her homework.
But when she was about to reach the door of her house, Luo Ning was surprised to hear a conversation in the courtyard.
“No, I can’t help you copy books…”
“There’s a restaurant in the Dragon Cry Pavilion. The chef inside is known as the Cooking Immortal. The vinegar-cooked fish he makes is the best in the capital. Help me copy ten books, and I’ll bring you to eat later…”
“I have money. 1’11 eat it myself later.”
“Huh? Remember to bring me one too…”
??
When Luo Ning heard Ping’er’s voice, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. The satisfaction of returning to her small home had completely disappeared, and she became flustered. She felt as if she was having an affair and her husband had come looking for her.
She originally wanted to turn around and run away, but if the Pacifying Heaven Cult Master were here, she would have already discovered her the moment she reached the entrance of the alley. If she turned around and ran away now, it would only make things worse.
After Luo Ning panicked for a moment, she quickly suppressed her emotions and pretended to be calm. She walked outside the courtyard wall with small steps and stood on her tiptoes to take a look.
The courtyard was still clean and tidy. The west wing where Ye Jingtang lived was closed, and the lights in the main room and kitchen were on.
Ping’er was standing in the kitchen. Her familiar round face looked a little troubled as she washed the dishes carefully.
Little Yunli, who was dressed as a scholarly lady, had moved out a small table and stool and was sitting under the eaves of the main room. She supported her face with one hand and copied books listlessly. She was even trying to persuade Ping’er to help copy books.
Luo Ning looked around carefully and didn’t find any traces of the Pacifying Heaven Cult Master in the courtyard. So she flew over the wall with an immortal aura and landed in the courtyard.
Whoosh!
From the corner of her eye, Zhe Yunli saw a woman in a blue dress appear from the top of the wall. She was so shocked that she trembled. She quickly straightened her back and pretended to copy seriously. Then she said in surprise, “Martial Mistress, you’re back!”
Ping’er, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, was also pleasantly surprised. She hurriedly wiped her hands, ran out, and bowed. “Greetings, Madam.”
Luo Ning, the cult mistress, was full of energy. After signaling Yunli to copy books obediently, she brought Ping’er to the courtyard and asked, “Why are you here? Where is the cult master?”
“The cult master didn’t come and asked me to deliver a message…” Ping’er obediently explained the cult master’s instructions before saying, “There are crouching tigers and hidden dragons in the capital. Madam, it’s too risky for you to stay here alone. In my opinion, you should go back…”
When Luo Ning heard that the Pacifying Heaven Cult Master hadn’t come, she felt relieved. As for returning, she certainly wouldn’t be happy about it. “I already have a way to enter the palace. I only need to wait patiently for a year and a half to complete the cult master’s arrangements. Go back and let the cult master wait for the good news.”
Ping’er hurriedly shook her head. “The cult master said that if you don’t go back, I’ll stay here and take care of your food and daily life. Also, if you have any connections or progress so far, you have to report them to the cult master to avoid things going wrong in the future. It will help the cult master come up with a plan to rescue you.”
When Luo Ning heard the housekeeper’s words, she was naturally a little unhappy.
But as the cult mistress, it was indeed unreasonable for her to go on a business trip and not return home for a long time without reporting the progress of her work.
Ping’er was not her maidservant, but Xue Baijin’s follower. If she found out that she had not done anything when she came out, she would definitely report it to Xue Baijin.
Luo Ning deliberated for a long time before finally reporting her work in the capital for the past few months. “After I came to the capital at the beginning of the year, in order to save Qiu Tianhe, I developed a cult disciple and had him join the Black Office. I was the one who planned Qiu Tianhe’s release…”
Ping’er nodded and said, “When the cult master heard that Hero Qiu was released, the cult master knew that you were indeed doing your best and had obtained the help of a capable person. Since this person is already a disciple of our Pacifying Heaven Cult, the cult master should know his identity in order to avoid accidents if they encounter each other in the future, but the cult master doesn’t know that he’s one of our own people…”
Luo Ning didn’t really want to say it, but what Ping’er said made sense. She had developed a spy herself, but she wasn’t willing to tell Xue Baijin his identity. It would mean that she had selfish motives and was preparing to strike out on her own.
Moreover, if the person she trained didn’t have the ability to sneak into the palace, Xue Baijin would definitely ask her to return to the South Firmament Mountains. If she didn’t leave, Xue Baijin might come over herself.
Luo Ning hesitated for a moment before leaning close to Ping’er’s ear and whispering, “This person’s surname is Ye, and his name is Jingtang. He’s the helm master I developed in the past two months…”
Ye Jingtang?! When Ping’er heard this name, her round face was full of disbelief. After all, she had just seen Hero Ye’s peerless charm at Jun Mountain Terrace a few days ago.
Hero Ye is actually… How is that possible?! Ping’er didn’t believe it. “Hero Ye is one of us? He’s the current Saber Chief. He’s such a formidable person.. Madam, how could you take him in for your own use…”