When everyone knelt and kowtowed, Tao Chuyi looked up and vaguely glimpsed a massive bird amid the clouds and mist.
The flames blazed too fiercely for anyone to charge in, and with no water nearby, Ning Xueyan seemed destined to perish.
Yet Ning Xueyan, facing imminent death by fire, remained the calmest of all. She stretched her hand toward the sky and murmured to herself, “Have you come to bid me farewell?”
A mournful cry echoed through the air. The Big Goose dove downward, plunging straight into the sea of fire. In the blink of an eye, it rammed the bamboo cage off the platform, the structure bearing only a few stray embers.
Ning Xueyan’s eyes flew wide. With a grief-stricken shout, she cried, “Little Yan!”
The Big Goose burned in the inferno, transformed into something like a blazing phoenix. It had saved Ning Xueyan, but now the flames enveloped it completely, merging it with the towering conflagration until nothing remained but ashes.
Someone yelled out, “The Phoenix God has manifested! Ning Xueyan must be the child of the Phoenix God—a divine maiden!”
One voice became two in agreement, and soon the sentiment spread. The tide turned in an instant. The townsfolk now kowtowed toward Ning Xueyan, murmuring fervent pleas for the Phoenix God’s blessings. They had completely forgotten their earlier zeal to burn her alive.
Suddenly, a large contingent arrived. Yamen runners from the County Magistrate’s Office stormed the platform and forced the Town Chief to the ground.
The County Magistrate arrived right behind them, proclaiming loudly, “The Town Chief of Phoenix God Town has incited a mob to arson and trampled human lives underfoot! His heart deserves death. Seize him at once, drag him to the county yamen prison, and await judgment!”
Tao Chuyi immediately spotted Nangong Yunshang standing behind the runners and dashed over, pouncing into her arms.
“Sister, Little Yan is dead. Chuyi couldn’t save them. Chuyi was wrong.”
Nangong Yunshang patted Tao Chuyi’s back and soothed her in a soft voice. “It’s not your fault, dear.”
The maidservant rushed up onto the platform and joined the runners in rescuing her young mistress. Ning Xueyan sat stunned amid the ashes, her profound grief rendering her insensate to the world around her.
The runners hauled the Town Chief away and tidied up the scene. The County Magistrate sidled up behind Nangong Yunshang with obsequious deference and asked in a low voice, “Does Your Highness have any further orders?”
Nangong Yunshang didn’t spare him a glance. She knew full well that his intervention stemmed not from any sense of justice, but solely because she was a princess of the court. A self-serving opportunist like him would have to be replaced at the first opportunity.
“Nothing more. I only hope the County Magistrate will see to a severe punishment.”
The County Magistrate pledged repeatedly that he would deal harshly with the former Town Chief and appoint a new one who truly served the people.
Ning Xueyan had escaped with her life but lost her dearest companion. When she returned home, her parents rejoiced, yet no one truly grasped the depth of her sorrow.
Tao Chuyi worried for her, so Nangong Yunshang made no haste to depart.
The two learned from the maidservant that Ning Xueyan had carried the ashes to a dirt mound south of town. They followed after her.
Ning Xueyan had allowed no one to accompany her. Alone at the foot of the mound, she erected a tombstone and interred the ashes beneath it.
“Little Yan, I first thought to lay you to rest in the Ning family graveyard. But then I realized you would hate being confined, so I chose this place with its wide-open view.”
Before the grave, she laid out Little Yan’s favorite treats. “You were my best friend in the past, and you will remain so in the future. Rest easy. I’ll live well from now on—no one will bully me, and I won’t squander your sacrifice.”
Nangong Yunshang smiled. “If Miss Ning can think that way, nothing could be better.”
At the sound of her voice, Ning Xueyan turned to see Tao Chuyi and Nangong Yunshang approaching arm in arm.
Tao Chuyi placed all the snacks bought along the way before the grave. The tombstone read: Tomb of my good friend Little Yan, erected by Ning Xueyan.
Such an inscription treated Little Yan as one would a person, even though death snuffed out life like a candle—and all the more so for a mere goose. Still, it preserved a cherished memory.
Ning Xueyan inclined her head. “My thanks to Miss Yun and Young Master Tao for the rescue. I won’t sink into despair over this.”
Approval shone in Nangong Yunshang’s eyes. “And what are your plans going forward, Miss Ning?”
“I’ll keep studying diligently and pursue an official path. Who knows—I might even claim the title of Top Scholar one day.”
Ning Xueyan seemed reborn, utterly unlike her former self. No trace of hesitation lingered in her words; confidence and composure now defined her.
“You’ll pass for sure!”
Tao Chuyi clapped her hands. “We’ll be waiting in the Capital. Once you do, we’ll treat you to a grand feast!”
Ning Xueyan smiled with serene acceptance. “It’s a promise.”
After several days of hearings at the county yamen, the former Town Chief admitted only to being ensnared by the Demon Daoist from the Southern Frontier, a practitioner of unholy arts. Under the man’s influence, he had committed these atrocities.
In the end, the County Magistrate pronounced sentence: the former Town Chief and all his lackeys would face public execution. Fire sacrifices were banned henceforth.
The people of Phoenix God Town selected a new Town Chief, choosing Lord Ning by unanimous acclaim solely because his household sheltered a divine maiden.
Flattered beyond measure, Lord Ning hosted a lavish banquet for the entire town. Tao Chuyi and her companions crashed the feast and planned to set out again in a couple of days.
Word of Lord Ning’s ascension emboldened Eldest Master Ning and Eldest Madam Ning further. At the banquet, they not only threw their weight around but outdid even the Town Chief as hosts.
Nangong Yunshang picked at her food unhurriedly, repulsed by their antics. The new Town Chief would likely fall under their thumb, allowing those two to tyrannize Phoenix God Town unchecked.
“Sister, they’re so detestable.”
Tao Chuyi finished gnawing her chicken leg and shot the pair a fierce glare.
Nangong Yunshang smiled. “Let’s see anyone call our Chuyi foolish from now on. Far sharper than plenty of others.”
The Great Madam’s bombastic speech cut short as Ning Xueyan strode out with house servants in tow. They flung bundles to the ground.
“Everyone! Today marks my father’s inauguration as Town Chief, so I have an announcement.”
Ning Xueyan captured the crowd’s attention, a smile playing on her lips. “My eldest uncle and aunt have long been at odds with our branch of the family. Henceforth, show them no deference on the Ning Family’s account. Whatever they do bears no relation to us. As of today, the Ning Family divides—they’ll live apart.”
The Great Madam bristled at once. “Your father’s right here. What right does a slip of a girl like you have to speak?”
Pandemonium erupted up front, but Tao Chuyi and Nangong Yunshang paid it no mind. Ning Xueyan’s standing had changed; the pair could no longer touch her.
As expected, the townsfolk took umbrage first.
“How dare you speak to the divine maiden that way?”
“Won’t she bring down heavenly thunder? The old Town Chief proves it.”
“Right? Mind your tongue!”
Their voices rose in a chorus, their spittle alone enough to submerge the Great Madam.
Eldest Master Ning resorted to tugging heartstrings. “Second Brother, after all our years as brothers, can you stand by while your daughter humiliates me?”
Before Lord Ning could respond, Ning Xueyan spoke first. “Brothers indeed—mooching off our house, shirking business, gorging and lounging, forever meddling. Few elder brothers match your caliber.”
Eldest Master Ning’s mustache quivered with rage. “Insolent brat! Spouting such drivel with no regard for your betters!”
Lord Ning hastily tugged at his daughter. “Yan’er, you can’t speak to your uncle like that!”
Ning Xueyan snorted. She leaned in to whisper in her father’s ear.
“Father, do you intend to remain under Eldest Uncle’s thumb forever? A puppet Town Chief, cursed to your face? They honor me as divine maiden now and shield you, but their favor can flip in an instant. No one will value a flimsy title like yours then.”
Lord Ning froze, staring vacantly at the unfolding farce. As Eldest Master Ning raved about thrashing Ning Xueyan, enlightenment struck. He summoned men to drag the couple away.
“From this day, the Ning Family severs all ties with them. Treat them without mercy, everyone!”
Eldest Master Ning and his wife ranked among the most loathed figures around. Cheers erupted from the crowd, who proclaimed they had it coming.
That bootlicking County Magistrate supplied a carriage, along with silver, to convey Tao Chuyi and Nangong Yunshang to the next town.
Why turn down a free ride? Within his domain, they parted from Ning Xueyan and traveled without hindrance.
Once beyond the county borders, they donned ordinary garb once more—but with ample funds in hand. They took a fine room at an inn, clean and well soundproofed.
Open the window for the lively clamor of street hawkers. Shut it for peace and quiet. Take your pick.
The rigors of travel had worn them down. Nangong Yunshang sat propped against the headboard on the kang, loath to rise now that she had reclined.
She waited this way and that, but the one who had eagerly volunteered to fetch food still hadn’t returned.
Uneasy, Nangong Yunshang regretted letting Tao Chuyi venture downstairs alone.
She pushed herself upright, feet touching the floor, when the door creaked open. Tao Chuyi slipped inside, food box in hand.
Nangong Yunshang’s eyes fixed on the box. “Did you bring the whole inn’s kitchen?”
“Of course not.”
Tao Chuyi grinned and unpacked the meal: four dishes, a soup, and four platters of pastries.
“We won’t need to step out all day.”
Tao Chuyi helped Nangong Yunshang sit up to eat. Nangong Yunshang dined while Tao Chuyi watched. Once Nangong Yunshang had nearly finished, Tao Chuyi circled behind, laid hands on her shoulders, and began to knead.
“Sister, how’s the massage? Comfortable?”
Already fatigued, Nangong Yunshang grew drowsy under the skilled touch.
“Mm. Very comfortable.”
Tao Chuyi’s pressure varied just right—clearly the product of practice. The kneading eased Nangong Yunshang’s weariness or could lull her straight to sleep.
After a moment, Tao Chuyi leaned close to Nangong Yunshang’s ear and murmured, “Sister, let’s rest properly on the kang.”
As if in a daze, Nangong Yunshang rose with Tao Chuyi. Settling onto the kang cleared her head somewhat.
“You hardly touched your food, just watching me.”
Tao Chuyi smiled. “I am hungry, a bit.”
“Then eat quickly before it gets cold.”
Tao Chuyi had finally regained her clarity for a brief moment, so of course she wouldn’t miss any chance to get close. She slowly sat down beside Nangong Yunshang, carefully examining the person she had longed for.
“Let me help you undress, sister.”
As she spoke, she had already undone Nangong Yunshang’s outer robe. Her fingers moved deftly, quickly stripping away the excess garments. Just as she reached for the inner garment, her wrist was suddenly seized.
Nangong Yunshang said sheepishly, “I’ll do it myself, or there’s no need to change outside.”
Tao Chuyi, however, wouldn’t hear of it. “How can that be? Sister loves cleanliness the most.”
“Then I’ll do it myself.”
Nangong Yunshang didn’t let go, and neither did she.
Tao Chuyi slightly lowered her head, then raised her brows and eyes again, saying something both reasonable and appropriate.
“Your Highness, I am your Prince Consort.”
