Chapter 118: The Request of the Grand Preceptor of the Unruly

"Xiao Chun, you've been working on that garment for over half a year. What kind of piece could possibly be this exquisite?" Xiao Mi finished getting dressed, stood up, and sat down on the heated brick bed.

The heated bed was a special request from the Princess to the craftsmen, making it wonderfully warm to sit on during the winter.

Xiao Mi glanced toward the cuff of the red garment and was stunned to see delicate plum blossoms embroidered in gold thread, one after another. She knew Xiao Chun was the most skilled with a needle, but she hadn't expected it to be so lifelike; if not for the golden petals, one could hardly tell it was embroidery at all.

"Hehe, Sister Xiao Mi, I hope the Princess likes this red Hanfu. I've spent over half a year embroidering these flowers! Our Princess is just different—so gentle and kind. She always cares about us lowly servants." Xiao Chun wound the fine gold thread, pulled it through the tip of her needle, and stitched another golden plum blossom onto the edge of the sleeve.

"The Princess will surely love it. Such a beautiful red garment..." Xiao Mi stroked the smooth fabric, looked tenderly at Xiao Chun’s plump, round face, and smiled contentedly. She felt a fleeting touch of regret, wishing she could be more like Xiao Chun.

*Knock, knock, knock.* Three raps sounded at the door.

"Mother Xiao Chun, it’s Shi'er! The Princess's tutor dismissed class early because it’s too cold..."

Hearing this, Xiao Mi ran to open the door. Before the snows began, Xiao Chun would take Shi'er to the East Market every month, treating him just like her own son.

At the same time, on the snow-dusted roof of the pavilion, soft footsteps were muffled by the falling flakes. Yet, this could not escape the sharp hearing of the master thief, Hua Chu'er.

Wu Yueling watched as Chu'er leaped up from the heated bed, vaulted out the window, and vanished. A gust of cold air rushed in, and shivering, Wu Yueling wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck and hurried to the window as well.

Before long, Chu'er returned to the window, dragging a masked man. The man did not struggle, allowing Chu'er to toss him into the room, scattering clumps of white snow across the floor.

"Are you the Commander of the Unwanted?" Though the man was masked and disguised, Wu Yueling recognized him instantly. It was the Commander of the Unwanted, and that hidden weapon on his arm must be the secret crossbow.

Chu'er shut the window; it was indeed too cold outside. Only after hearing the young lady's words did she realize the man before her was the Commander. When she had caught him, she assumed he was a common thief; she hadn't realized he was the disguised Commander. Her initial failure to identify him left her feeling wary.

"It is indeed I! I am truly astonished that the Princess could identify me so easily. I was certain my disguise was good enough to fool even a master thief!"

Zhang Heng removed his mask, feeling the warmth of the room. He stood up and shook the snow from his clothes. He had come to the Princess's estate with a request. Since this was the first floor of the Tianci Pavilion—not the Princess's private chambers—and given their prior cooperation, he didn't stand on ceremony, sitting boldly on a chair. He remembered this piece of furniture was called a "Baxian" chair.

"How did you..." Chu'er was startled. This man had actually investigated her background!

Wu Yueling frowned. Was he here to arrest Chu'er? But seeing him arrive alone and looking so haggard, that didn't seem likely. What, then, was the purpose of his inexplicable visit?

"Princess, have no fear. My mentor was once the old commander of the Unwanted; he once captured the Flying Flower Thief. That individual was a match for my mentor—truly formidable. I assume you must be the disciple of that Flying Flower Thief! Of course, I have no intention of settling old scores, especially since my mentor has long since passed. I only hope to borrow some strength from you, Princess."

Hearing this, Chu'er let go of the Flying Flower Token she had been clutching tightly and let out a long breath. Her own master, too, had long since departed for the Valley of a Hundred Flowers.

"Borrow strength? What do you mean? Do you Unwanted ones need to borrow strength? You control all of Chang'an, don't you?" Wu Yueling arched an eyebrow. She had asked around in Chang'an and heard of a security firm, but they had left the city years ago, and their doors remained shut. She had also heard of the legendary Hou Sanniang, who had once fought the Commander of the Unwanted to a draw in the streets. Like the Iron Lady of Jingzhou, she was a woman of immense martial skill.

It seemed highly suspicious that he would come to her for help instead of seeking out Hou Sanniang, with whom he had a connection.

Zhang Heng dropped his calm facade; his haggard face revealed a rare, grim look. "In the past, perhaps the Unwanted were the secret guardians of the Imperial Court. Now, the Emperor has long forgotten us. We are merely a destitute faction within the pugilistic world. The Unwanted no longer possess their former grandeur. Those with no other prospects scramble to join us just to earn a meal; they have little real skill. Gathering intelligence is about all they are good for."

"Borrowing the strength of the Princess's estate... what strength do I have to offer? And surely, there must be a price for such a favor?" Wu Yueling lifted the tablecloth and poured black charcoal into the iron brazier.

Chu'er helped stoke the fire, equally curious. The Unwanted asking the Princess for help? It didn't feel simple. The young lady was right—no one helps others for nothing. What if this was a trap?

"As for the price, if it is within our power, the Unwanted are willing to fulfill one goal or task for the Princess!" Zhang Heng's gaze was steady, though his mind was racing. He didn't know who was backing the Manichaean sect, but if the Unwanted could rely on the Princess's estate, things would be much easier to manage. After all, the Princess was currently a favorite at the Emperor's side. A storm was coming; it was better to find a sturdy tree to shelter under.

Hearing this, Wu Yueling was tempted. The Unwanted had an incredibly wide reach; they were present in almost every town, not just Chang'an. That would certainly be useful, and there were indeed many things she needed their help with. "The price is acceptable. Tell me, what is this 'strength' you wish to borrow?"

"I wish to borrow people. I hope this disciple of the master thief can lend me a hand to rescue a commander. She is currently imprisoned, and according to our intelligence, she will be moved out of the city tomorrow night. They will pass through Qujiang Pool, using the small canal!" Zhang Heng took a map from his robes, his eyes gleaming with excitement. After so much searching, he finally had intel on Qingyu, though the whereabouts of Fatty Le remained unknown.

Wu Yueling leaned in to look at the map. It was a layout of Chang'an. The canal connected to Qujiang Pool, ran through the city, and reached the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Seeing the Daci'en Temple, she thought she should find an opportunity to visit the high monk Wushi—after all, he was half a mentor to her. A strange thought crossed her mind, something she had almost remembered but then lost—something about someone sailing east to Japan... She shook it off and continued listening to Zhang Heng's explanation.

"I have no major objections to your plan, but who exactly is the enemy?"

"The sworn rivals of the Unwanted: the Manichaean sect!"

The room fell silent for a moment before Wu Yueling broke into a confident smile.

"Very well. I will lend you a hand. As it happens, I have a few accounts of my own to settle with the Manichaeans!"