Chapter 50: Trouble for the Auspicious Omen

Wu Wei recognized the woman before her right away. She was the same person who had been dining with Dongfang Rui at the Hundred Flavors Building back then. Today, however, she wore elegant women’s attire, far more luxurious than before.

Wu Wei grumbled inwardly: If I’d known it was you, I wouldn’t have bothered picking you up on the way home. Anyone who runs in the same circles as Dongfang Rui is bound to spell trouble for both me and the Embroider Maiden.

Assuming Wu Wei hadn’t recognized her, the woman continued, “The swallow—the one on your back. Have you fixed it yet?”

Wu Wei couldn’t help rolling her eyes. Dongfang Rui had said something almost identical.

“What swallow?” the Embroider Maiden asked. “Do you mean the embroidery pattern on Weiwei’s back?”

“Yes, exactly! That’s the one. We met before, that day when I was dressed as a man with my master. Do you remember?”

Wu Wei inwardly groaned again. How did someone as shrewd and calculating as Dongfang Rui end up with such a dim-witted apprentice? The girl hadn’t even let Wu Wei get a word in before spilling all her secrets.

Thanks to the woman’s reminder, the Embroider Maiden suddenly recalled what Wu Wei had once mentioned—about being teased by a girl disguised as a man. She glanced at Wu Wei. This young lady didn’t seem like a bad sort.

Wu Wei cleared her throat. “No need for more reminders, miss. I remember you now.”

“What’s your name?” The woman lifted her chin slightly.

“My family name is Liu. I’m the third in my family. You can call me the Embroider Maiden.”

“And you?” Gao Ningxue turned to Wu Wei.

Wu Wei shot back, “What brings a young lady like you to a place like this in the dead of night, all by yourself?”

Gao Ningxue’s expression shifted. “It’s not something I can easily explain to the two of you. Where’s the nearest yamen? Do you know?”

“I do. It’s about twenty or thirty li away. On horseback, you’d get there quick.”

Gao Ningxue frowned slightly, scanning the room. “Are there any other houses around here?”

“No, the closest one is ten li off. Surely you noticed on your way here? Oh, right—there’s a Charity Mortuary not far that way.”

Gao Ningxue was momentarily at a loss for words. She caught the displeasure in Wu Wei’s tone. And truthfully… she did find the Embroider Maiden’s home rather beneath her. Gao Ningxue, the beloved county princess who enjoyed every luxury, could hardly stomach the idea of staying in such humble surroundings.

Yet she didn’t mean to look down on them. Recalling how Wu Wei’s back had been raw from carrying firewood, she understood their poverty all too well.

Holding back any offense at Wu Wei’s bluntness, Gao Ningxue softened her voice. “I didn’t come here on my own. I woke up to find myself inside a coffin… If you don’t mind, could I stay the night? I’ll leave at first light tomorrow.”

Wu Wei sensed something odd but held her questions, exchanging a glance with the Embroider Maiden. “Sure. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to the prefectural yamen.”

“Are you hungry, miss?” the Embroider Maiden offered. “I could boil some noodles for you.”

Gao Ningxue shook her head. “I’ve lost my appetite. Sorry, I can’t tell you my full name right now. Just call me Xue’er.”

…

Sleeping arrangements posed another problem. The Embroider Maiden had only one set of bedding. Gao Ningxue fell silent at the sight, then sat at the end of the kang, leaning against the wall with her arms folded and eyes closed. “This will do for me for the night. You two sleep.”

The night passed quietly, but Wu Wei barely slept a wink.

It wasn’t resentment toward Gao Ningxue, nor newfound caution from past lessons. This incident felt different from anything before. One wrong move could drag the Embroider Maiden into danger.

Judging by the woman’s clothes, she was clearly from wealth or nobility—apprentice to a high-ranking official of the third rank, no less. Perhaps the daughter of some lord or even a princess. For someone like that to end up deliberately stashed away in a remote Charity Mortuary? The whole thing reeked of conspiracy.

Someone might be lurking in the shadows, watching them even now.

Wu Wei itched to slap herself. All her fault for meddling.

But then again, even if she could turn back time, could she really ignore the woman’s scream? Besides, the direction she’d fled was straight toward the Embroider Maiden’s house. This “disaster” was unavoidable, come what may.

Better to strike first than wait helplessly. If someone truly wanted her dead, she never would have woken up alive in that mortuary.

And after all, Wu Wei did hold a Bright Mirror Division Command Token…

Oh, whatever!

At dawn the next day, Wu Wei quietly woke the Embroider Maiden. Gao Ningxue had slumped against the wall in sleep, curled up on the kang. Wu Wei draped a quilt over her and pulled the Embroider Maiden aside to the spot where she’d spoken with Dongfang Rui before. Keeping a sharp eye out in all directions, Wu Wei shared her suspicions and worries.

The Embroider Maiden listened intently, pondering for a moment before replying, “Lord Dongfang is a good official, and she showed you great favor by recognizing your talent. Since this is her apprentice, we should help her.” She paused, then added, “With your skills and brains, Weiwei, you’d go far under Lord Dongfang. Don’t miss this chance on my account.”

Wu Wei froze. In all the time she’d known the Embroider Maiden, she’d never heard such forward-thinking words from her. Wu Wei was thrilled that her friend’s horizons were broadening beyond their little patch of earth, but she couldn’t resist asking, “Embroider Maiden, why the sudden… insight?”

The Embroider Maiden smiled. “You’ve been teaching me to read and write these days, reading me stories from the Miscellaneous Records. Wasn’t there that one about the woodcutter who bravely fought a tiger to save the prefect? He got the prefect’s recommendation, took the martial exams, earned fame and fortune, and his wife and family prospered. After you finished, you told me risks and opportunities often go hand in hand—it’s all about seizing them. This feels perfect. If that young lady’s truly important… folks like us never even glimpse the county magistrate, let alone nobility like her. And last night, you charged out at the scream without a second thought. If I weren’t here, you’d have helped her through regardless—just like when you rescued me from that drafty old shack. You probably didn’t expect the village head and others to show up after… Weiwei, I don’t want to be a burden to you.”

Wu Wei let out a long sigh, stepping forward to ruffle the Embroider Maiden’s hair gently. “What are you talking about? We look out for each other—that’s how we live so steadily. I work to keep us fed; you keep me clothed. Neither of us is anyone’s burden. My caution isn’t just for you—I’ve been burned badly before and learned to be careful. You’re right, though: helping others is its own reward. We’ll head to the yamen together. I wouldn’t feel right leaving you alone.”

The Embroider Maiden shook her head. “I’ll stay behind. You’ve got the Bright Mirror Division token, and it might let you chat more with her on the road. The yamen’s past Little Locust Village—I’d rather not go.”

“Fine, then. Let’s head back. Breakfast first, then we’re off.”

“Mm.”

…

After breakfast, Gao Ningxue pulled three gold leaves from her bosom and placed them on the kang table. “Embroider Maiden, and you—whoever you are…”

“…I’m Wu Wei.”

“Oh, right—Wu Wei. Thanks for taking me in and feeding me. Take this as a token of my appreciation.”

The Embroider Maiden waved her hands frantically. “Xue’er, this is far too valuable…”

Wu Wei snatched up the gold leaves with a grin, pressing them into the Embroider Maiden’s hands. “Take it, take it! Miss Xue’er can spare a few leaves.” She turned to Gao Ningxue and cupped her fists in thanks. “Much obliged! For a poor household like ours, this means the world!”

Gao Ningxue couldn’t help but chuckle wryly, though she found Wu Wei’s straightforwardness refreshing. She’d met plenty of hypocrites who eyed rewards greedily but feigned reluctance.

Someone like Wu Wei, honest and unpretentious? That was rare.

Wu Wei set off with Gao Ningxue. The Embroider Maiden had packed lunch—steamed buns and pickled vegetables—but Wu Wei refused, insisting Xue’er would treat her to something better. With that, she departed in high spirits.

Once they reached a secluded spot, Wu Wei glanced around and produced her Bright Mirror Division token, handing it to Gao Ningxue. “Care to tell me what’s really going on now?”

Gao Ningxue eyed the token curiously—wondering when Wu Wei had joined the Bright Mirror Division—but she knew better than to doubt its authenticity. The unassuming things were forged from special materials.

She tossed it back. “I’m the Left Commander of the Bright Mirror Division, Gao Ningxue. You ought to address me as ‘my lord.'”

Wu Wei scratched her head. “Sorry, I only just got this token. Lord Dongfang said I’m her plant here, but she didn’t brief me on internal matters. What’s a Left Commander?”

“The highest authority in the Bright Mirror Division is my master. Beneath her are the Left Commander and the Right Commander. So, what do you suppose my position is?”

“Oh, so you’re the second-in-command~ A pleasure to meet you, a pleasure indeed.”

“…That’s a term bandits use.”

Wu Wei reined in her smile and spoke with utmost seriousness. “Do you have a way to contact Lord Dongfang directly?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I may not know what exactly happened, but I’d like you to weigh this: if we head straight to the magistrate’s office to file a report, will that really be safe?”

Gao Ningxue arched an eyebrow. She finally understood why her own master had recruited someone like this into the Bright Mirror Division—and granted her such extensive freedom, no less. The Division’s headquarters was in the capital, after all. Apart from a rare few exceptions, everyone else was required to report for duty. The Bright Mirror Division answered directly to His Majesty; it was a place of immense prestige intertwined with grave responsibility, demanding the strictest discipline.

Gao Ningxue fell silent for a long moment before speaking slowly. “I am Prince Yan’s granddaughter, the Pingjia County Princess. Several days ago, I departed from Taizhou Prefecture under escort by Imperial Court troops, bringing the auspicious omen and a full furnace of seven-colored elixirs back to the capital. Last night, I awoke to find myself lying in a coffin. When I sat up, I realized I was in the charity mortuary. I let out a scream and fled, bumping right into you. Now I fear something has gone wrong with the auspicious omen. I want to borrow a swift steed from the yamen and go take a look.”