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As dusk approached, Liu Ying changed into a simple, plain outfit and made her way alone to Qingfeng Alley in the northern part of the city. There lived an old servant who had reportedly worked for the Xu Family for many years.
The old residence deep in the alley exuded an air of decay. Just as she was about to knock on the door, she caught sight of a familiar figure slipping by. Tang Ren Zhang was slowly emerging from the house, leaning on a cane.
"Old Zhang," she hurried over, "are you here to visit someone from the Xu Mansion?"
The old man’s expression tightened as he glanced around before whispering, "Miss, be cautious with your words. The owner of this house moved out a few days ago, saying that… someone had been asking too many questions."
Liu Ying's heart sank. "Is it Lord Zhou's people?"
"Not just them." Tang Ren Zhang lowered his voice further. "I’ve heard that people from Anyuan Marquis Manor have also come by. They are looking for a copper mirror, they say…" The old man suddenly coughed and did not finish his sentence.
At that moment, footsteps echoed from the alley entrance. Tang Ren Zhang quickly turned to leave, but before he did, he slipped her a note. "Go to Drunken Immortal Tavern and find someone named Lao Liu."
Liu Ying unfolded the note and saw it read: "Midnight, the Hour of the Rat. Remember to bring the sachet."
Inside Drunken Immortal Tavern, the noise was deafening. Following the secret instructions on the note, she found Lao Liu—a burly man with a face full of flesh. However, when she took out the sachet given to her by Su Jinzhi, his expression changed instantly.
"Follow me." Lao Liu led her through the bustling crowd to a hidden chamber in the back courtyard.
"Yan Lao is waiting for you." He pushed open a concealed door where an elderly man with white hair sat.
"You finally made it," the old man said with piercing eyes. "I knew you would come. Twenty years ago on that Qixi night, I was at Xu Mansion."
Liu Ying's heart raced. "You are…"
"I am Xu Shu's personal servant," the old man replied slowly. "The Great Fire that night was actually premeditated. They wanted not just the lives of the Xu Family but also…"
Before he could finish, a commotion erupted outside. Lao Liu rushed in, panic-stricken. "Not good! Someone has tracked us down!"
Yan Lao’s expression changed as he pulled out a bundle from his sleeve. "This is what I brought out back then; keep it safe. Remember, before Qixi, you must find that last piece…"
A dark arrow suddenly shattered through the window and struck the old man's shoulder. Moments later, several men in black burst through the door.
"Run!" Yan Lao shouted while clutching his shoulder, signaling Lao Liu to take her through a secret passage.
In her haste, Liu Ying could only grab hold of the bundle. As she fled down the passageway, she heard sounds of struggle and Yan Lao's agonized cries behind her.
Finally escaping Drunken Immortal Tavern into the night, a familiar sound of dizi echoed suddenly. A figure leaped across from the rooftop—it was Xu Yuan.
"Follow me!" He jumped down and grabbed her hand as they ran.
With pursuers closing in behind them, just as they were about to be caught, Xu Yuan suddenly stopped. "You go ahead and take the things!" he said before turning to face their pursuers.
"Be careful!" Liu Ying shouted.
"Don't worry." Xu Yuan opened his folding fan, a glint of brilliance flashing in his eyes. "I'm not so easily caught. But you..." He turned to glance at her. "Open the bundle and see; perhaps we can find the answers we need."
Under the moonlight, she noticed the familiar smile playing at the corners of his mouth, reminiscent of that night when she had handed him water.
At that moment, a Dark Arrow whistled through the air. With a flick of his fan, Xu Yuan deflected the arrow, but another arrow was already aimed at Liu Ying.
In a critical moment, a flash of white light appeared as a White Dove swooped in, perfectly intercepting the arrow. Xu Yuan's voice echoed from afar: "Tai Bai Temple of the Bright Tomorrow. Bring your grandfather's bronze mirror!"
Liu Ying clutched the bundle and sprinted through the night. Suddenly, she noticed that the two Lenses in her arms were emitting a faint glow, as if sensing something.
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