Before I could stop her, a clear and pleasant male voice came from behind the curtain. “Please follow the rules here and don’t embarrass Thirteen.”
I was stunned. This voice was certainly not the sparrow’s, nor did it belong to any man I knew.
Su Hui awkwardly withdrew her hand. “Pardon me.”
In comparison, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed. In the An household, everyone was capable, even the sparrow was extraordinary, while I was the only one who knew nothing, like a freeloader.
Sparrow comforted me: “Madam can paint and earn money.”
I suddenly understood and was reinvigorated, holding the money box and beginning to count the day’s earnings.
The day’s income was equivalent to a month’s usual earnings. At this rate, getting rich through the bookstore would no longer be just a dream.
After returning home, I immediately shared this good news with my father-in-law, who was lying in bed recovering. When he heard about my day of counting money until my hand cramped, he laughed, praising, “Ah Yao is so clever, actually coming up with such an idea.” He patted my shoulder.
My father-in-law’s leg injury had improved significantly, but his eye condition showed no progress. I had tried many remedies and consulted Doctor Liu, but found no notably effective treatment. However, my father-in-law remained optimistic and comforted me, telling me not to be anxious.
I said, “This is all thanks to my husband’s reminder.”
Just as I was about to elaborate, my mother-in-law gave me a meaningful look and then stepped out of the room.
I understood and was about to take my leave. He softly said, “Your mother-in-law’s heart is not bad; she just doesn’t know how to express herself. Ah Yao, don’t resent her.”
My mother-in-law stood in the courtyard, facing away from me. This was the first time she had spoken to me since the self-poison soup incident.
“Ah Yao, do you know your mistake?”
I was stunned and didn’t respond immediately. She sighed.
“Since Jin’er has told you everything, from now on, you are also part of the secret department. Your every word and action must be particularly careful, without revealing the slightest hint that might draw attention to the An family.” She spoke solemnly. “What you did at the bookstore, even attracting the Su family’s attention, was too reckless.”
My mother-in-law’s tone was quite stern. I clutched my clothes like a timid wife, my voice as soft as a mosquito. “Ah Yao knows her mistake. But—”
“Hmm?” She turned, her expression cold and serious.
“But I think this might not be a bad thing,” I mustered my courage. “As they say, the greatest hiding is in plain sight. Perhaps the more conspicuous one is, the less likely one is to arouse suspicion?”
She stared at me for a while. I felt like I was being flash-frozen, stiffening bit by bit. However, my mother-in-law’s expression softened slightly. “Your reasoning is exactly like Jin’er’s.”
I blinked innocently: “We’re in perfect harmony.”
My mother-in-law became serious again. “Since that’s the case, are you willing to share his burden?”
My spirits lifted, and I hurriedly nodded. Finally, I could do something! I had even chosen my own code name, waiting for a mission to arrive. I didn’t expect today would fulfill my wish… “Mother-in-law, what should I do?”
The corners of my mother-in-law’s mouth finally curved, blooming like spring. “Those tasks are beyond you. This mission is simple – just be yourself.
The previous secret department had already obtained information that the Fifth Princess of Nanrui was indeed hidden in a secret room in the Su residence. However, the Su residence was usually well-guarded, and Su Quan was skilled in using mechanisms, so the secret room was certainly filled with various traps. It would be practically impossible to find and take away the Fifth Princess without alerting the Su family.
Therefore, An Jin chose to act on the day of the hunting competition. Su Xi and Su Hui were both going to participate in the competition, and Su Quan also had important matters to attend to. On this day, the guards of the Su residence would inevitably be less vigilant. Moreover, An Jin, Su Xi, and Su Hui participating in the competition would provide a natural alibi, perfectly dispelling the Su family’s suspicions about him.
Originally, An Jin did not need to personally participate, but this operation must succeed in one strike. Otherwise, if the Su family were alerted, they would certainly transfer the princess. Additionally, An Jin was the most skilled at disarming mechanisms. Based on these considerations, he decided to personally lead a few secret agents deep into the Su residence to find the Fifth Princess of Nanrui.
My and Que’er’s task was to provide support and hunt some game to serve as An Jin’s competition results.
Providing support was my job, while hunting game was Que’er and Yuanxiao’s task. Yuanxiao was excited and, after receiving my permission, dove into the forest.
Que’er put on an outfit similar to An Jin’s, slung an arrow quiver, and was about to pick up her bow when I caught sight of Su Xi and Su Hui approaching, seemingly having spotted us.
Que’er hurriedly hid behind a rock, but it was too late. Su Xi and Su Hui dismounted and walked towards us.
I quickly came up with an idea, gave Que’er a meaningful look, and said in a heartbroken voice, “My husband, how cruel you are! Go ahead, leave and never come back!”
Que’er understood and imitated An Jin’s voice, loudly declaring, “Unreasonable!”
Su Xi and Su Hui heard our conversation and seemed somewhat confused. Que’er mounted her horse and quickly rode away. The entire sequence of events happened in an instant, and I secretly glanced at Su Xi and Su Hui, who appeared not to fully comprehend what just occurred.
Su Hui approached me and asked, “Madam, what are you doing here? Why is Brother An so angry?”
I sighed, looking dejected, “It’s a long story. I’ve made a spectacle of myself.”
Su Hui was about to ask more, but Su Xi said, “Sister, we should go. Madam, be careful in this forest with many wild beasts.”
I tearfully waved a handkerchief at them, “Thank you both.”
Su Xi and Su Hui mounted their horses and rode away. I breathed a sigh of relief and made a face at their retreating backs. Turning around, I found General Shen from Nanrui standing behind me, silently watching. When I turned, he cupped his hands in greeting and rode away.
I waited by the gray rock for a long time before Que’er returned on horseback, bringing back only two wild rabbits. Yuanxiao, on the other hand, occasionally retrieved some game, including a black fox, two pheasants, and even a plump badger.
Yuanxiao stood proudly, calmly accepting my praise. Que’er felt somewhat embarrassed and stubbornly said, “If I hadn’t been hiding from those people, my harvest would have been much better.”
Calculating the time, two hours had passed, and An Jin should be returning soon. I had Que’er take Yuanxiao and leave first while I remained to watch over the pile of game.
An Jin returned much later, with a grave expression. The sun was now westward, and the day was growing late.
“How did it go?”
An Jin furrowed his brow and shook his head.
“Didn’t find the Fifth Princess?”
He shook his head again. “Found her, and brought her out.”
“So what’s the problem?”
He looked at me, his gaze complex. “She’s dead.”
Chapter Forty-Three: Typical Resentful Couple
Before I could ask further, noisy sounds approached from a distance.
“Trouble,” I thought to myself.
An Jin’s return time had exceeded expectations. Presumably, Su Quan had sent people to search for him. I looked around; not only were there no hiding places, but An Jin’s prolonged absence would also compromise our alibi. What should we do?
An Jin thought briefly and removed the luminous silk from his hair. “Ah Yao, leave first.”
