When Jiang Sui didn’t answer right away, the Black Cat spoke up:
“Listen, Jiang Sui, you’re still just a rookie who’s barely started out. For a newcomer, you’re already performing better than a lot of people.”
The Black Cat’s voice carried a trace of unconcealed anxiety.
“I know you’re not one to give up, but right now you’re facing far too many powerful enemies you can’t handle. Acting rashly will only get you killed for nothing. If you want revenge, the most important thing is to learn patience. Only by surviving can you talk about future plans.”
“Just like before, right?”
Jiang Sui suddenly interjected, taking the Black Cat by surprise.
“It’s humiliating, sure. But if I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t even be able to use this cat’s body to sit in front of you and talk to you now.”
“I understand, truly, I do.”
Jiang Sui let out a long breath.
The moment she decided on her plan to target Lu Yunze, Jiang Sui knew she had to hide herself most of the time, letting Lu Yunze be her shield, rather than exposing herself recklessly.
Just like now—Li Zhiya must think the box is in Lu Yunze’s or Luo Yao’s hands, and hasn’t even suspected Jiang Sui yet.
She could simply slip away while they were fighting, or hide in the shadows and wait for the right moment.
Throwing her life away was never her intention, but even something as simple as running away—right now, she found it difficult to agree to the Black Cat’s request.
Why? She couldn’t quite say. But whenever she tried to steel her resolve, Lu Yunze’s smile would flash across her mind.
The Black Cat wanted to say more, but the sudden opening of the door interrupted her movements. Not wanting to be seen, she leaped out the window at once.
Fortunately, Jiang Sui’s body blocked her from view, so the entering Lu Yunze didn’t notice a thing.
He entered the room and quietly closed the door, tiptoeing as if performing a ritual.
“You’re still here. Good.” Lu Yunze breathed a sigh of relief and walked over. “There’s an emergency. Now, go gather the other servants and leave the Manor at once.”
Jiang Sui wasn’t surprised at all. Instead, she retorted:
“It’s related to the guests in the Silver Hall, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Lu Yunze quickly explained the current situation. Li Zhiya was extremely dangerous, and now, under the orders of the Head Maid, everyone was calming the frightened servants and keeping them together.
Lu Yunze himself had gone to inform the other servants, urging them to quickly leave the Manor.
They couldn’t use the main gate—that would put them right in Li Zhiya’s path. Luckily, this garden had a back door. Everyone could exit through it, circle around the yard, and quietly leave.
The Head Maid had already scoped out the best route, so as long as they moved quickly and quietly, everyone could leave safely and avoid being caught up in the coming fight.
“There’s not much time. I have to go notify the others.” Lu Yunze finished and turned to leave.
“Wait a moment, Young Master.”
Jiang Sui tugged at his sleeve.
“Yes?”
“Are you planning to stay?”
Lu Yunze answered without hesitation, “Of course. If I left too, who would keep the house safe?”
“I mean, you don’t even have a plan for escaping, do you?”
If someone had to be left behind, Jiang Sui knew Lu Yunze understood the danger—staying to fight might cost him his life.
“This is the Lu family’s Manor. I’m the Young Master. If I ran away, it would bring disgrace to the family.”
A very serious declaration, but Jiang Sui only gave a slight smile:
“I don’t remember Young Master being someone so concerned with family honor. You’ve never fooled me with that.”
She paused for a while.
Before he could respond, Jiang Sui stepped forward and tapped his nose lightly with her finger.
“As someone with a heart, I do care about the safety of others. If we get hurt because of your personal grudge with Li Zhiya, Young Master, you’ll regret it, won’t you?”
Lu Yunze wanted to explain, but after hesitating twice, he chose to give up.
“Looks like I still can’t fool you.”
“I know you too well, Young Master. You’ve always been like this, carrying the world’s burdens alone. Aren’t you tired?” Jiang Sui clasped her hands behind her back and turned toward the window.
“Never. It’s worth it.”
Jiang Sui lifted her head and looked into his eyes.
Lu Yunze’s dark eyes glinted with excitement, not a trace of fear in them—just a clear, unwavering light.
“Young Master is such a compassionate soul. I really didn’t misjudge you.”
“Don’t say you want to stay and accompany me or anything like that. Other things I can let you do as you please, but not this. Absolutely not.”
“I know, I know, Young Master, you’re so strict.”
The girl stepped forward again, grabbing his hand.
“You have to promise me one thing, Young Master.”
“Tell me.”
“No matter what happens, you must stay alive.”
“Alright, I promise you.”
“Also, I wish Young Master would share a bit less of that compassion, and be a bit more selfish.”
“Why’s that?”
Lu Yunze didn’t understand, and Jiang Sui didn’t explain.
Love others? What a joke!
Wasn’t that the opposite of Jiang Sui’s intentions all along?
Lu Yunze didn’t need to be compassionate to everyone. He only needed to be selfish—love her so much that he couldn’t live without her.
Jiang Sui had seen it plenty on TV: before a husband went off to war, his wife would always make a promise and give her blessing.
So Jiang Sui took his hand and pressed it to her own cheek, but didn’t move in any closer.
“If Young Master can do it, there’s a reward waiting.”
“Are you hoping for a hug from me?”
You can’t say you don’t want it.
“Will you survive?”
Definitely.
“You won’t betray me, right?”
You can only belong to me.
The girl’s smile was as bright as ever. Lu Yunze only felt his heart flutter, as if brushed by a feather, and his hand reached out before he could think.
His fingertips were still a few inches from her cheek when Jiang Sui, already anticipating his move, tilted her face slightly and gently leaned in.
She seemed to mimic some small animal’s affectionate gesture, tilting her head and brushing her soft cheek against his palm, her hair tickling his hand.
Just as his fingers were about to trace the line of her jaw, a fresh breeze slipped in through the curtains. Lu Yunze, regaining his senses, withdrew his hand, took out the four-leaf clover necklace from his pocket, and placed it in Jiang Sui’s palm.
“It’ll bring you luck. I’m lending it to you for now.”
“Then I’ll look forward to Young Master’s performance.”
The two left the room one after another, walking in opposite directions.
Listening to the footsteps fading behind her, Jiang Sui stopped and looked back at Lu Yunze’s figure disappearing around the corridor’s corner.
They’d wasted a bit of time, but fortunately, aside from Lu Yunze, the Head Maid and the Chef Uncle were also helping to organize the servants’ retreat.
Everyone stuck closely to the planned route, heading toward the central courtyard, then the back door.
“Everyone, keep quiet. Don’t cause trouble for Young Master or Miss Jiang.” The Head Maid lowered her voice. “After we get out, don’t return until I contact you.”
“Walk quickly, but don’t be too obvious,” Chef Uncle added, helping out. “Only if you all come back alive can you taste my cooking again. I know how much you all like my food.”
When most people had left, Chef Uncle took off his hat and couldn’t help but sigh.
“Now is not the time to get sentimental.”
“Is it really?” Jiang Sui’s sudden voice startled Chef Uncle so much he nearly screamed. “Jiang Sui, why haven’t you left yet?”
“I came to help you, of course.”
“If that’s so, you should leave soon too, or you’ll really be risking your life later.”
Jiang Sui only nodded slightly at his words.
“Chef Uncle, are you afraid that if the Manor is destroyed today, there won’t be a chance to rebuild, and you’ll lose your job forever?”
“My, you really see through people’s hearts.” Chef Uncle forced a laugh. “Honestly, I am a bit reluctant, but staying behind would only make things worse.”
He didn’t linger after speaking, but left first.
Jiang Sui remained standing there, the wind rustling her maid uniform and occasionally slapping against her black stockings.
After Chef Uncle left, the Black Cat slipped down from the back wall.
“This is your last chance, Jiang Sui.”
“I know, Senior. You’re right—staying alive comes first, and I can’t reveal my identity easily. To them, Jiang Sui is just an ordinary girl, cannon fodder on the battlefield at best.”
“As long as you understand. So—what are you doing?”
While talking, Jiang Sui untied the ribbon from her ponytail, letting her ashen brown hair fall like a waterfall, with a few strands blown up by the wind.
Jiang Sui is indeed a sensible person, but the one accompanying her may not be.
She raised her wrist, letting the reflected light shine on the hidden edge of her bracelet.
“Sometimes, I just can’t talk you out of things.”
“That’s because I’m selfish. I never allow things outside my plans to happen, and I never let my things be easily taken by others.”
Jiang Sui’s smile gained a trace of fiery emotion.
“So what is it that Li Zhiya has, that she dares to snatch away my tool? And Luo Yao—she must be happy now, waiting for a chance to fight side-by-side with Lu Yunze.”
Just thinking about it made her restless.
“If I do nothing, Lu Yunze might die. Even if he and Luo Yao manage to defeat Li Zhiya, it’ll only bring them closer together.”
No matter which outcome, Jiang Sui couldn’t accept it.
“Sorry, Senior, for ending up with such a selfish partner.” Jiang Sui took a deep breath and stuck out her tongue to moisten her dry lips.
The Black Cat sighed, sounding helpless.
“This is the passionate spirit only the young possess. I really am getting old. Well, I suppose there’s nothing I can do about you.”
“That’s right.”
“To be honest, you could have run away at Zhenkou Town that time too, but you chose to stay. Frankly, I’ve admired you youngsters ever since then.”
“So what you mean is—”
“There aren’t many chances to directly face the power of the King in Black Robes. This is a great opportunity for research, and maybe it’ll help with our future revenge plans.”
Human and cat looked at each other, seeing the same slyness reflected in the other’s eyes.