Chapter 124: Loyalty

Wu Yueling marked several red dots on the map of Chang'an and its surrounding areas; these were strongholds of the Manichaean sect. One spot, marked with a large cross, was currently being used by the sect as a training ground for assassins and was also where Gongshu Jixuan was being held captive. Youths like Shao Qinglin were forged into loyal followers of the sect within these brutal environments.

According to intelligence from Tu Shen, a significant event seemed to have occurred within the Manichaean sect the previous night. Hundreds of sect members stationed in Chang'an had spent the night traveling toward Banbi Peak. This was highly suspicious; the Manichaean sect was no benevolent organization, and allowing their rampant behavior to continue was not an option.

She pondered silently, considering how to wipe them out in one fell swoop. What about the constables? Perhaps coordinating with the investigators of the Chang'an Ministry of Justice would be a good idea. However, she dismissed this thought immediately after learning some earth-shattering intelligence.

While she was lost in thought, Yu Chao'en knocked on the door, announcing that someone wished to see the Princess. Xiaochun opened the door to let him in.

Wu Yueling sat on the kang, listened to the report, and then rose to head to the main hall. People from the Gongshu family had arrived. After rescuing Gongshu Lingyun and sending word to her junior brother, she had followed Lingyun's directions to find her home and summon her family to the Princess's mansion. In truth, Wu Yueling believed that since the Gongshu family were master craftsmen, this incident could serve as an opportunity to recruit them.

In the main hall, the charcoal in the brazier emitted a warm glow, comforting those seated across from each other.

"Please, have some tea. This tea is a bit special—it is just plain tea leaves without any additives. I hope you enjoy it!" Wu Yueling said with a smile, adopting the generous posture of a hostess; she had grown accustomed to this way of receiving guests.

"Many thanks, Your Highness!" Gongshu Yuntu picked up his teacup, somewhat surprised by its style. As a craftsman, he was naturally curious about the cylindrical handleless cup. He was also amazed at the Princess’s generosity, as she had used such a generous amount of tea leaves—though he noted the tea itself was red. Usually, they drank tea boiled with ginger, salt, and various spices, or, if they were being refined, tea made from powdered leaves.

Gongshu Zhan, a rugged man, drained his cup in one go and discovered the taste was completely different from what he was used to—it was fragrant and sweet. He had long heard that everything in the Princess's mansion was extraordinary, and today he confirmed it. He also knew the Princess owned the Journey to the West restaurant, where he loved the various types of stir-fried dishes. He often went there to order a couple of dishes and a bucket of rice; as a blacksmith, he did heavy labor all day and had a massive appetite.

"I have come this time to thank you, Your Highness, for saving my granddaughter! This kindness is something this old man can never repay!" Gongshu Yuntu set down his cup, his face filled with gratitude.

"Many thanks, Your Highness!" Gongshu Zhan echoed, cupping his hands in gratitude.

Sitting nearby, Lingyun felt a lump in her throat and began to cry. This unprovoked disaster had nearly made her believe she would never see her father or grandfather again.

"I do not expect anything in return, but Lingyun mentioned that you are craftsmen?" Wu Yueling cradled her warm teacup, then threw out her proposal to see how they would respond. According to Cen Shen’s introduction, these two were master artisans, and talent like theirs was exactly what the Princess’s mansion lacked.

"To be honest with Your Highness, my family has been craftsmen for generations, though we have become increasingly obscure. It is hardly worth mentioning!" Gongshu Yuntu appeared humble, but a flash of pride crossed his aging eyes. Having lived for most of his life, if he had nothing else, his technical skills were refined and tempered to perfection.

"Would you be willing to serve in the Princess's mansion?" Wu Yueling nodded and smiled.

"This..." Gongshu Zhan stroked the head of little Lingyun to soothe her sobbing. Upon hearing the Princess's words, he instinctively turned to look at his father for guidance. Gongshu Yuntu hesitated, his expression indecisive.

Observing Gongshu Zhan’s gaze and the old man’s expression, Wu Yueling struck while the iron was hot. "I know where Gongshu Jixuan is being held and plan to organize a rescue tonight. The ones who abducted your loved ones were the Manichaeans!"

"Oh..." After his initial shock, Gongshu Yuntu stood up and bowed in gratitude, his aged voice trembling with excitement. "If you can find Xuan'er, this old man is willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness without hesitation!"

Gongshu Zhan knelt beside his father and pledged the same. Despite being a rough man, he understood the proper courtesies. Hearing news of her brother, Lingyun’s despondent mood shifted, and she tearfully thanked the Princess with a brightened face.

Seeing that they were willing to stay and serve the Princess's mansion, Wu Yueling was naturally delighted and helped them to their feet. Little did she know, while the old man Gongshu Yuntu would not end up climbing a mountain of blades, he would eventually walk through a sea of fire, serving the Princess Protector in a different way.

After arranging quarters for the Gongshu family, the mansion welcomed several unusual guests. They were seeking the Divine Physician, Sun Ruowen.

Wu Yueling hurried to the infirmary to find Sun Ruowen overwhelmed with work, issuing various commands. In his haste, he did not notice the Princess, urgently ordering someone to fetch white cane sugar powder from the sugar refinery before turning back to treat a patient on the bed, his white beard fluttering.

Yu Chao'en, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes in slight anger. Such behavior was truly disrespectful to the Princess, and he was about to intervene when Wu Yueling held up her hand to stop him. Seeing the Princess turn to leave, he was confused. "Your Highness? Are you going to the sugar refinery yourself? Just leave it to this servant!"

Without looking back, Wu Yueling walked quickly toward the exit. "This is a task the Divine Physician has entrusted to me, so of course, I must complete it myself. You stay here and keep watch. If the Divine Physician has any orders, carry them out immediately. There must be no mistakes!"

"Yes!"

Yu Chao'en felt a shiver of respect. He became increasingly reverent toward the Princess Protector, no longer viewing her as a master who could be deceived, but rather feeling a genuine, heartfelt respect for her.

After obtaining the white cane sugar powder and seeing the poisoned, unconscious Zhang Heng, the Chief of the Bad Man, Wu Yueling’s suspicions grew. It seemed that when she had infiltrated the Manichaean secret distillery the previous night, the two factions had likely clashed violently.

Seeing the woman on the bed beginning to wake, and hearing from the old physician that her hand and foot tendons had been severed, leaving her unable to walk, Wu Yueling felt a surge of sympathy. She immediately used her design interface to sketch a wheelchair and then had it drawn out for the carpentry workshop to manufacture.

Meanwhile, Liang Zixin and several other Bad Men were also being hosted by the mansion. Late that night, Wu Yueling learned from the older man, Liang Zixin, about the conflict at Banbi Peak. Over five hundred Bad Men had died in the snow on the mountain; their rescue mission had been unsuccessful, and a leader of the Bad Men and a constable had been killed.

She did not know the leader well, having only had some minor dealings with Zhang Heng. When the restaurant first opened, it had relied on the help of the Bad Men to expand its reputation. Now, everyone knew of the Journey to the West restaurant. Her foster parents had even visited it in disguise once, though they never spoke of it, both sides tacitly understanding.

After hearing Liang Zixin’s account from beginning to end, Wu Yueling did not show too much emotion, offering only a few simple words of comfort.

Some time later, after the Chief of the Bad Men had awakened, Wu Yueling received a promise and guarantee that all the remaining Bad Men would join the Princess's mansion. Zhang Heng also confessed that he had previously attempted to use the Princess's mansion as a shield.

Only then did it dawn on Wu Yueling that the mastermind behind the Manichaean sect was indeed that old fox! However, she was grateful to both the sect and the old fox; having the Bad Men pushed into her camp exactly fulfilled her wishes, saving her the trouble of having to recruit them herself.