The back kitchen was deserted, with only one chef present. Tao Chuyi buttered him up with a few clever words, and he promptly vacated the kitchen for her.
She quickly surveyed the ingredients at hand and began preparing the dish methodically, step by step.
People like her were trained from childhood in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, martial skills, and hidden weapons—and cooking was one of those essential lessons. After all, getting close to someone while concealing one’s identity required meticulous preparation.
She could transform herself into anyone: a merchant, a nobleman’s daughter, or a simple farm girl. There was no role she couldn’t play if she set her mind to it.
Tao Chuyi carried a plate of freshly made milk crisps back to the guest room, one careful step at a time.
By rights, she shouldn’t have developed any emotions—feelings would only force her into impossible life-or-death choices. But now, she wanted to offer her true heart to the noble young lady who held it captive.
Seeing her return, Nangong Yunshang hurried over and took her hand. “Why were you gone so long? What’s that? It smells amazing.”
Tao Chuyi’s eyes flickered, and she broke into a brilliant smile.
“I found these in the kitchen—milk crisps they made today. Sister, try some with me.”
“You and your appetite,” Nangong Yunshang teased.
Even as she spoke, Nangong Yunshang eagerly tasted a couple of pieces. The rich milky flavor was fragrant and crispy; she couldn’t help eating a few more.
Tao Chuyi watched from the side, her gaze intense.
“Is it good, Sister?”
“Very good.”
Nangong Yunshang looked up to find Tao Chuyi staring at her so intently that she quickly pushed the plate over.
“Eat it while it’s hot—it must’ve just come out of the pan.”
Tao Chuyi nodded and picked up a piece, popping it whole into her mouth just like always, chewing her handmade treat slowly.
“You,” Nangong Yunshang said fondly, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the corner of Tao Chuyi’s mouth. “When are you going to grow up?”
Tao Chuyi stayed perfectly still, tilting her head up obediently to let Nangong Yunshang clean her lips.
After a moment, she caught Nangong Yunshang’s hand and held it in her palm.
“Sister, do you want me to grow up?”
It was a serious question, and for some reason, Nangong Yunshang felt she had to answer it with equal gravity.
She paused for a moment before replying, “Whether Chuyi grows up or stays like this, Sister likes you just the same.”
“Sister.”
Tao Chuyi leaned in and hugged her tight, acting spoiled as she sought reassurance.
“I like Sister. No matter what I become, you’ll still like me, right?”
Nangong Yunshang stroked the back of her head. “Yes. No matter what the future holds for Chuyi, Sister will always like you.”
Hearing the words she longed for, Tao Chuyi clung to Nangong Yunshang for a good long while until she finally coaxed the other woman into holding her as they drifted off to sleep.
Tao Chuyi pressed her ear to Nangong Yunshang’s chest, listening to the steady heartbeat like it was the most beautiful melody. She suddenly felt a twinge of envy for her own foolish self, who could bask so shamelessly in this person’s warmth.
Tao Chuyi closed her eyes, a faint smile curving her lips.
Sister, I love you.
The next morning, Tao Chuyi slept spreadeagled, twitching and scratching now and then.
Nangong Yunshang had woken early. She couldn’t understand how someone so proper in the first half of the night could start flailing about like a lunatic later on.
“Chuyi, it’s time for breakfast.”
At the mention of food, Tao Chuyi shot upright, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
“What’s for breakfast?”
Nangong Yunshang pinched her cheek, inwardly admitting she felt a bit on edge herself. Last night, she’d even thought Chuyi’s silliness had improved, but that must have been her imagination.
“There’s honey-jujube porridge with golden threads—the kind you love—and xiaolong soup dumplings.”
Tao Chuyi stretched lazily, her body gradually tilting until she toppled into Nangong Yunshang’s arms. She wrapped her arms around the woman’s waist and went limp, mumbling incoherently.
“Come on, get up. No more acting spoiled.”
Nangong Yunshang patted her back gently. With a mix of coaxing and tugging, she finally got Tao Chuyi out of bed to wash up.
They had just sat down to eat when urgent knocking interrupted them.
Tao Chuyi ran to the door and opened it, recognizing the familiar face of a maidservant.
“You’re… from Ning Xueyan’s household?”
The maid dropped to her knees at once. “Please, young master and lady, save our young miss! The Town Chief is going to drag her off as a sacrifice to the Phoenix God!”
Nangong Yunshang helped her up. “Calm down. What do you mean by ‘sacrifice to the Phoenix God’? Explain clearly.”
The maid spoke in a panic, tears streaming down her face like peas.
Phoenix God Town had a long-standing legend: the Phoenix God, ancestor of the town, had protected its people generation after generation, ensuring good weather and shielding them from drought or flood.
But three years ago, a terrible drought struck Phoenix God Town. The Town Chief learned some ritual somewhere and claimed the Phoenix God was angry, demanding tribute. The tribute had to be a young maiden of marriageable age, bound in a bamboo cage and burned alive.
And crucially, three years prior, they’d burned one town girl that way—and it actually rained afterward. This convinced the townsfolk of the sacrifice’s power. With drought returning, the Town Chief decided to hold another, selecting Ning Xueyan based on astrological divinations.
Nangong Yunshang frowned. “Such ignorant superstition. Why come to us? Where are Second Miss Ning’s parents?”
The maid sighed. “Madam Ning is a concubine with no standing in the household. She endures constant berating from Eldest Madam Ning and the Eldest Young Master. If not for Second Miss’s cleverness and her father’s favor since childhood, Madam Ning might not have lasted this long. As for Second Master Ning, he’s spineless—whatever the Eldest Master says, he obeys without question.”
With that, the maid kowtowed three times. “Everyone in town believes in the Phoenix God sacrifice—I don’t know if it’s real or not. But you two are outsiders; you surely won’t buy into it. Please, out of the kindness of your hearts, save our young miss! This servant will work like an ox or horse to repay you!”
Nangong Yunshang helped her up again. “You’re loyal. Don’t worry—we’ll do everything we can. Where is your young miss now?”
“Locked in the woodshed by Eldest Master Ning. The sacrifice is in three days.”
As outsiders, visiting Second Miss Ning openly would be improper. They had to sneak in, and with that in mind, the task fell to Tao Chuyi.
Under cover of night, Tao Chuyi slipped through a broken window and reached Ning Xueyan’s side, where the girl lay bound hand and foot.
“Miss Ning?”
Hearing the noise, Ning Xueyan slowly opened her eyes. Seeing it was Tao Chuyi, a flicker of joy lit her gaze—but it faded quickly, replaced by despair.
“Thank you for visiting, Young Master Tao. Could you pass a message to my mother for me? Tell her her daughter is unfilial and can’t care for her anymore—ask her to take care of herself. And tell Yan’er to look after Little Yan. Among the geese, it’s getting old now—don’t let it grieve for me.”
Tao Chuyi fumed and swiftly untied the ropes in three quick moves, yanking her to her feet.
But Ning Xueyan refused to budge. “I can’t leave. If I escape, my mother will be hounded to death by my uncle and aunt. Young Master Tao, you should go. You’re guests—don’t get dragged into my mess. Just delivering the message is kindness enough.”
Unable to rescue her, Tao Chuyi slunk back to the inn dejectedly.
Seeing her like that, Nangong Yunshang knew it hadn’t gone well.
Running away with the girl was a last resort. They could take Ning Xueyan, but what about Madam Ning and the maids back at the mansion?
At that thought, Nangong Yunshang made up her mind. She asked the maid, “Do you know where the County Magistrate’s Office is?”
“This servant does!”
Nangong Yunshang nodded slightly and turned to grip Tao Chuyi’s shoulders. “Chuyi, Sister has a task for you. I’m going for reinforcements—you stay here to buy time and keep yourself and Ning Xueyan safe, all right?”
Tao Chuyi agreed, but she worried.
“Sister, by yourself? Is that safe?”
Nangong Yunshang smiled. “Don’t worry—I’ll be back soon.”
As planned, with the maid leading the way, Nangong Yunshang set off immediately for the County Magistrate’s Office. Tao Chuyi stayed behind to keep watch on the Ning Mansion.
The fire sacrifice wasn’t supposed to happen for another day, but for some reason, the Town Chief had rallied the townsfolk early for the spectacle.
Under Eldest Madam Ning’s direction, servants carried Ning Xueyan out. She was already stuffed in a bamboo cage, looking like a lamb to the slaughter, all spark of life gone.
“Put my daughter down!”
Madam Ning rushed out, reaching for the cage.
“Mother!”
Seeing trouble, Eldest Madam Ning sent guards to block her, keeping the mother and daughter apart.
“What are you standing around for? Stop that madwoman!”
“Mother! Don’t touch her!”
Ning Xueyan clutched the cage bars, shouting desperately, but as it was carried out of the mansion, her voice faded into the distance.
Now it was just Tao Chuyi left. She glanced back—Big Goose was still there.
Seizing the moment when no one noticed, she slipped away to follow. She trailed them all the way to the Caishikou Execution Ground, packed with a jeering crowd. Men, women, young, and old glared like they were facing an enemy, chanting loudly for Ning Xueyan’s immediate death.
“Burn her! Appease the Phoenix God’s wrath!”
“That’s right—burn her, and we’ll be safe! It’s her honor!”
“Burn her!”
The Town Chief stepped onto the platform and raised a hand to quiet the crowd.
“The sacrifice begins shortly. Everyone, stay calm.”
He turned to face Ning Xueyan.
“Second Miss Ning, any last words? Here’s your chance to speak to your family.”
Ning Xueyan glared at him, her eyes flashing with fury like a trapped beast.
“If gods and ghosts truly exist, I swear I won’t let you off after I die! You ignorant fools—you’ll pay for this!”
Perhaps struck a nerve, the Town Chief’s face darkened, and he ordered the fire lit.
At that moment, Tao Chuyi dashed onto the platform, throwing herself in front of the bamboo cage.
“You bad guys! No fires allowed!”
“Drag him away! Otherwise, the Phoenix God will rage!”
The Town Chief bellowed loudly. Revering the Phoenix God, the crowd surged forward and dragged Tao Chuyi away in a chaotic tangle of hands and feet.
Tao Chuyi struggled desperately to break free but simply couldn’t shake them off, frantic to the point of tears.
Even Tao Chuyi was astonished. Where had that strength gone?
Seven torches flew toward the bamboo cage at once, igniting the surrounding straw. In an instant, the cage was engulfed in a sea of flames.
Firelight danced in Tao Chuyi’s eyes.
“Ning Xueyan!”
The Town Chief led the townsfolk in kneeling and kowtowing. “Great Phoenix God! We offer this tribute to You. Please bestow Your blessings!”
For the first time ever, mournful cries echoed down from the heavens.
Someone pointed at the dark shadow in the sky. “The Phoenix God has manifested!”
The others hastened to join in worship. “We pay our respects to the Phoenix God!”
Ning Xueyan, who had been clinging to her last breaths, suddenly snapped her eyes open and stared at the shadow overhead.
