Chapter 481: The Chance Has Come

“Gu Qingcheng” gave a bitter smile. After thinking for a moment, she gently tapped the air with her finger, conjuring a small red bird. She then took out a piece of paper and used a charcoal pencil to write a few words on it, intending to send a message to Jin Xiaoqin. She was worried that things might escalate, and wouldn’t end well for her.

“*Sigh,* I wish I knew a clone technique.”

As she reflected on how Ye Wenxin and Gu Qingcheng couldn’t appear at the same time, “Gu Qingcheng” sighed in her seat.

Suddenly, a faint sound came from behind her. Thinking Madam Yu had woken up, she turned around, only to realize that Madam Yu seemed to be having a nightmare. Whatever the nightmare was, it made her struggle fiercely.

“Gu Qingcheng” didn’t know what to do for a moment, until she noticed that Qiao Ni was holding onto Madam Yu too tightly, making her uncomfortable. Gently, she moved Qiao Ni a little, and Madam Yu’s breathing finally calmed down.

She was still letting out faint sounds, but “Gu Qingcheng” clearly realized that Madam Yu was awake now. “Gu Qingcheng” sat back in her spot, waiting for this overly long night to come to an end…

The next day, Jin Xiaoqin told everyone that Ye Wenxin had been urgently summoned back to the Azure Wings Sect. Those who were familiar with Ye Wenxin felt a weight lifted from their hearts, while those who were less familiar had some lingering resentment. However, Jin Xiaoqin managed to handle it, and by noon, she laid out a feast as a reward for the hard work from the night before.

Madam Yu, still feeling somewhat uneasy, confirmed the situation with Jin Xiaoqin once more. In truth, Jin Xiaoqin was also quite confused, as the term ‘undercover agent’ that “Gu Qingcheng” used had misled her. After all, no one had informed her about this matter, so she believed that Ye Wenxin was indeed fine.

“Gu Qingcheng” was relieved to have brought up the undercover agent topic with Jin Xiaoqin beforehand, thus preventing any awkwardness she would suffer in this sudden situation. Now, standing in front of Madam Yu, she could still feel Jin Xiaoqin’s scrutinizing gaze.

“Gu Qingcheng” pretended not to notice. Jin Xiaoqin’s previous acting lessons made her realize there were many issues in her own performance. The current situation reflected the culmination of “Gu Qingcheng’s” diligent study. Jin Xiaoqin was merely curious for a moment before leaving, looking worried.

Silence enveloped the room again. Qiao Ni felt even more displeased after hearing that Ye Wenxin had left overnight. They had just reunited, and now it seemed like Ye Wenxin was eager to avoid them.

“Perhaps it’s because of that matter,” Madam Yu comforted, recalling the events that had occurred with Liu Churan the night before, although Qiao Ni was unaware of the fighting. As she accompanied Madam Yu, watching her read, Qiao Ni felt even more bored.

“Xiao Hei, want to take a walk with me?”

“Gu Qingcheng” had tried, again, to separate herself from Qiao Ni in the morning, but she still couldn’t maintain any distance between them and act alone. However, Madam Yu was unwell and couldn’t move around too much. Staying in the inn filled with cultivators was the best option for her recovery, so Qiao Ni simply ignored Madam Yu and asked “Gu Qingcheng”.

“Gu Qingcheng” nodded, wanting to check out a nearby library to see if she could find any useful information on how to resolve the issues with the Yin-Yang Pearls.

Qiao Ni was delighted, but after everything that had happened the night before, Madam Yu was understandably reluctant to let Qiao Ni go out with “Gu Qingcheng”.

The two parted somewhat unhappily. Madam Yu, feeling resigned, ultimately agreed to let Qiao Ni wander around, but only if it was after nightfall. Firstly, she wanted to accompany Qiao Ni during their outing, and she felt more comfortable in the evening. Secondly, Madam Yu was genuinely concerned about “Gu Qingcheng”, a stranger whose background was unclear, and wanted to conduct a thorough assessment.

Thus, their evening plans were set. Coincidentally, today marked two months since the start of Yangzhou City’s reconstruction. To boost morale, the citizens would display various personally crafted lanterns and set them alight together at night, intending to dispel any previous bad luck.

This festive atmosphere was especially intriguing for outsiders, and upon hearing about it, Qiao Ni was eager to go and have fun. Madam Yu had no choice but to increase her retinue to avoid any disturbance in such a crowded place.

Qiao Ni was very happy throughout. Due to Madam Yu’s circumstances, she spent nearly every day at home, so any time spent outside was a rare treasure for her. Even though Ye Wenxin had left, it still couldn’t dampen her mood to explore. Madam Yu, however, seemed increasingly distracted, a faint worry lingering between her brows.

While Madam Yu had once again fallen into her musings, she almost bumped into a group of children coming toward them. “Gu Qingcheng” quickly stepped in and gently pulled her aside. The whole motion was seamless, and as Madam Yu snapped out of her daze, she caught sight of those familiar orbs.

She felt an increasing sense of déjà vu about those eyes, but couldn’t understand why they seemed so familiar. Could it be the person she had been longing for behind that mask?

“Miss Xiao Hei, have we met before?” Madam Yu asked after distancing herself slightly from “Gu Qingcheng”, as if puzzled about the source of this strange feeling.

“Gu Qingcheng” naturally shook her head, and then kept an eye on Qiao Ni’s figure, trying to bluff her way out again.

However, the number of people around them continued to grow. Considering Madam Yu’s frail form, “Gu Qingcheng” chose to prioritize her well-being. She positioned herself protectively around Madam Yu, who felt a bit embarrassed. Madam Yu kept wanting “Gu Qingcheng” to stay with Qiao Ni, perhaps because she disliked being too close to others.

As they walked, Qiao Ni realized she had become so caught up in having fun, that she forgot about the two people behind her. She grabbed their hands and led them toward a table filled with various charming little trinkets that both young girls and women would love. Spotting a pair of jade earrings, Qiao Ni smiled and said, “These are beautiful, Mother. Can you buy them for me?”

Madam Yu felt somewhat helpless; she didn’t want to spoil Qiao Ni too much, fearing it would lead to a lack of independence in the future. Sensing her mother’s concerns, Qiao Ni quickly added, “I just want one for myself and one for Sister Wenxin.”

Madam Yu sighed at the mention of Ye Wenxin. Realizing that she couldn’t persuade Qiao Ni otherwise, she took out some money and bought the jade earrings. Qiao Ni carefully tucked the earrings away and noticed that “Gu Qingcheng” was watching Madam Yu, who was intently focused on a pile of jade accessories, lost in thought.

Suddenly, “Gu Qingcheng” felt a nudge from Qiao Ni beside her. Turning to look, she saw Qiao Ni making faces at her, as if trying to convey something.

“What’s wrong, Young Miss?”

“Xiao Hei, the chance has come.”

“???”

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TL: Xiao Hei just means ‘Little Black’, cus you know, ‘Gu Qingcheng’ is dressed in black, and she didn’t give her name, so Qiao Ni prolly gave her the nickname.