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Time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, three years have passed. Recently, I heard the news of The Jia Manor being raided. Those powerful lords were either executed or exiled, and their families were left in ruins, just as mine had been years ago. With great vengeance served, my heart was filled with mixed emotions.
One day, a young girl I had never seen before came to my door. "Liu Laolao, I am Xiao Hong, a maidservant by Second Mistress Lian's side. My grandmother is gravely ill and likely has little time left. She asked me to find you and hoped to see you once."
I recognized Xiao Hong; she was also a clever and capable girl in the book. I observed her closely; although she wore coarse clothing, there was still an air of nobility in her demeanor. I wondered why the already fallen Wang Xifeng wished to see me.
Curious, I followed Xiao Hong to Yushen Temple outside the city. The temple gate was weathered, and the courtyard was overgrown with weeds. Wang Xifeng lay on a simple wooden couch, looking emaciated. A wave of turmoil surged within me. The once-glorious Feng Lazi had fallen to such depths?
Upon seeing me, she weakly gestured for me to come closer. "Liu Laolao, I have something to tell you," she said faintly. "Actually, I was an undercover agent sent by the court to The Jia Manor."
Her words struck me like a thunderbolt, leaving me dizzy. I steadied myself and listened intently as she recounted her story. "I wasn't alone at first; Qin Keqing was sent alongside me to infiltrate The Jia Manor. I was at Rongguo Mansion while she was at The Jia Manor. Keqing was my superior, responsible for external communications." Tears welled up in Wang Xifeng's eyes as she continued, "It’s tragic that such a young girl as Keqing fell prey to that beast Jia Zhen. To avoid exposing her identity, she had to endure humiliation."
My heart raced with fear as I thought of my own poor Su'er. Wang Xifeng went on, "Later on, Keqing inadvertently revealed her identity to Jia Zhen. That beast poisoned her to silence her. After that, I lost my ally and had to fight alone. I had long gathered evidence of The Jia Manor's corruption and the buying and selling of official positions but struggled to find a safe way to pass it on."
"Eventually, I received word from the court that someone would come soon to collect the evidence and asked me to assist this person without revealing my identity so they could safely leave the estate." Wang Xifeng looked at me with a bittersweet smile. "Liu Laolao, I have long sensed something unusual about you. That day when you easily obtained the account books in my courtyard—it was all arranged by me."
I suddenly understood; no wonder everything had seemed too smooth back then.
"I know you came seeking revenge for your daughter," Wang Xifeng said with deep concern in her eyes. "As a mother myself, I believe you can understand my heart. The reason I sought you out today is that I want to ask for your help in saving my daughter."
"Now that the Jia Manor has fallen, I have also been abandoned by the court, and my days are numbered. My daughter, Sister Qiao, is likely to face misfortune as well."
A chill ran through me as I recalled the delicate little girl I had seen before; it was I who had given her the name "Sister Qiao."
"Rest assured, Second Madam," I said, taking her hand earnestly. "I will do everything in my power to take care of Sister Qiao."
Wang Xifeng revealed a grateful smile and slowly closed her eyes.
Outside the window, the autumn wind howled, stirring up a few fallen leaves.
After leaving Yushen Temple, I immediately inquired about Sister Qiao's whereabouts.
Through old acquaintances from the Jia Manor, I learned that Wang Xifeng's brother, Wang Ren, and Jia Yun were indeed plotting to sell Sister Qiao to a wealthy merchant.
The reward given to me by that mysterious person all those years ago had been hidden away in my home, and now it was time to put it to use.
I found Zhourui Jiadi and asked her to help me locate Wang Ren and Jia Yun. Finally, I succeeded in buying Sister Qiao back with money.
Holding Sister Qiao's small hand, the two of us—one old and one young—set off on our journey home.
Not far from the capital, we reached a small hillside.
Turning back to gaze at the bustling city, it now appeared to me as nothing more than a hazy shadow in the distance.
"Let's go, Sister Qiao," I said, taking her hand. "We're going home."
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