Messenger of Calamity

Chapter 88: The Prisoner

Shuiyue Pavilion was located at the northwest corner of the Shang Family estate. From the outside, it appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary courtyard. Shang Xinlei stood at the entrance, the fire basin only four or five steps away from her, yet it failed to illuminate her face, as if she had deliberately hidden herself in the shadows, unwilling to be seen.

There were no guards nearby. As long as one was willing, any First-Stage Messenger could escape the Shang Family by simply scaling the wall. The so-called imprisonment was merely symbolic. Yet no one ran—not her, nor anyone residing within. Anyone living within the network of society was already tightly bound, unable to break free.

When every word and deed could implicate your loved ones, affect everything you cared about, how could you act recklessly without regard for others? Everyone knew that ‘considering the bigger picture’ came with tolerance, retreat, and grievance. But once you were in that bigger picture, and the bigger picture was filled with all your past entanglements, how could you not tread carefully?

To draw a blade and break the net of dust, to face death as if returning home... not everyone could be like Jiang Ten, appearing without attachments and departing without mercy.

"Miss."

A maid arrived at the doorway with two servants. "Shall I bring this in for you, Miss?"

"No need." Shang Xinlei reached out and picked up the four food boxes. Each was quite heavy, but to a Second-Stage Messenger, it was nothing. "You all may leave now. Don’t linger around here."

Naturally, the servants hurried away. The maid looked at Shang Xinlei with concern. "Does Miss really not need Hualian to attend by her side?"

Shang Xinlei shook her head without further response. The maid wanted to insist, but when Shang Xinlei glanced at her, her body stiffened. She stood dazed in place, watching as Shang Xinlei carried the food boxes into Shuiyue Pavilion.

When the door of Shuiyue Pavilion closed, the maid felt as if she had been released from drowning. She leaned against the wall, gasping for air, her face full of fear. She couldn't even explain why she felt such fear. The Fourth Miss had always been kind and cheerful, never condescending to the servants. She genuinely cared for the Fourth Miss like a sister, yet just now...

She had seemed as heartless as the Master.

...

"Xiaoyu!"

Qian Gongyu, who had been lying on the bed with her legs up reading, immediately jumped up, stepping barefoot onto the wooden floor. She sniffed hard, nearly drooling. "Smells amazing!"

"Of course." Shang Xinlei opened the food boxes, and a wave of steam immediately filled the room, bringing with it the aroma of fine cuisine. "Braised Lion’s Head, Garlic Shrimp Balls, Steamed Giant Prawns, Stuffed Fried Peppers, Garlic Pork Ribs, Soy Sauce Perch... How about it?"

"This is the fourth meal I’ve had here, and every time it’s something I love!" Qian Gongyu wailed. "Damn these wealthy families, do they eat like this every day?"

"That’s right. What, your family doesn't?" Shang Xinlei feigned surprise. "How can anyone eat a meal with fewer than six dishes? Even the servants in my house are never poorly fed!"

"My family makes at most three dishes, and that has to be split into two meals." Qian Gongyu looked utterly glum. "Sometimes I even have to go up the mountain to hunt for some meat..."

"Then eat more. My family’s so rich, even if you eat nine meals a day, we won’t go broke."

Seeing Shang Xinlei take out two sets of bowls and chopsticks, Qian Gongyu asked curiously, "Didn’t you say tonight was a family banquet? Didn’t you eat enough?"

"Who wants to eat with that bunch? Just seeing them ruins my appetite." Shang Xinlei said flatly, "I’d rather eat with you. You eat like a pig, and it really whets my appetite."

"Oh really... wait, did you just call me a pig!"

"I didn’t insult you—I was praising you! Pigs are cute, clean, and white. Why can’t that be a compliment? Don’t be so narrow-minded!"

Qian Gongyu was at a loss, unsure how to argue back, and ended up just filling her bowl with food and turning her back to Shang Xinlei as she ate. Shang Xinlei chuckled, then sat down and poked her waist. "Sorry."

"Sorry." "Sorry." "Sorry."

Each time Shang Xinlei said sorry, she gave a poke. Qian Gongyu twisted and turned but couldn’t dodge, finally glaring at her. "Stop poking! It tickles!"

"Is it just me, or does your waist... feel a bit meatier?"

"Impossible!"

"Have you exercised these past two days?"

"...No."

"Then aren’t you just eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating, like a pig?"

"I read books! I’ve already finished two volumes of ‘The Messenger’s Handbook’!"

"Why do you sound so proud? That’s just a romance-adventure novel..." Shang Xinlei reached out and pinched the flesh at Qian Gongyu’s waist, her expression stern. "If you keep eating this well without exercising, I feel like you really will turn into a pig before long. Tell you what, I’ll find you a Basic Footwork manual. Practice a little every day—maybe you’ll get the hang of it."

"No need. Once I return to Baiyun, I’ll be climbing mountains and crossing rivers every day—I’ll slim down in no time." Qian Gongyu refused at once. "Besides, the Advanced Footwork manual... isn’t that an important inheritance of the Shang Family? How can you let me read it?"

A so-called learning manual referred to the teaching material written by a Messenger who had mastered a skill based on their own experience and techniques. The more prestigious the family, the more valuable their advanced manuals, as they were refined through multiple generations of Messengers cross-verifying and innovating upon them. Families like the Jie Family, Shang Family, Chen Family, and Zhou Family, all part of the Purple-Ribbon Nobles, relied on such inherited manuals to help their elite descendants comprehend advanced martial techniques.

Footwork was a martial technique nearly every Messenger had to learn. The Shang Family’s Advanced Footwork manual was likely even more valuable than the Advanced Footwork manual produced in Secret Realms. After all, a manual from a Secret Realm could only be used by one person, whereas a learning manual could give countless clan members hope of achieving Second Job Change.

"I’ve now mastered the Secret Technique: Blood Wheel. Redeeming a footwork manual from the clan is a breeze. If neither of us speaks of it, who’ll ever know you’ve read it?" Shang Xinlei reached out with her chopsticks and took the shrimp meat Qian Gongyu had just peeled. "What, are you afraid you won’t be able to learn it and I’ll mock you?"

"Also," Shang Xinlei took out a Basic Blade Technique Mastery Manual, the very one she had won on the Trading Board earlier today. "From what I see, your fist techniques emphasize claw, palm-blade, and finger-sword forms. Mastering the Basic Blade Technique would benefit you greatly and aid your comprehension of secret techniques. Don’t refuse—I already bought it. Do you want me to return it and embarrass myself? Others might think that even as the dignified Fourth Miss of the Shang Family, I can’t afford a gift."

The Basic Blade Technique manual was rare in Jiangnan. Only two or three Secret Realms produced it, and those were clan-owned. Purchasing one required not only connections but patience. By contrast, spending a bit more to secure one on the Trading Board was far more cost-effective. It was no wonder so many flocked to the Trading Board.

With things said to this point, Qian Gongyu could only reach out and accept the blade manual, though her hands trembled as if receiving a death notice. Shang Xinlei, seeing this, was both amused and exasperated. "What are you so afraid of?"

"I’m not afraid. It’s just that you’re so good to me and I..." Qian Gongyu’s butt clenched. "I—I may like sleeping beside Jiang Ten, but I still want to find my ideal husband..."

Shang Xinlei chuckled and asked, "Then what kind of ideal husband do you want?"

"Handsome, powerful, fragrant, cold, and someone who really values me. Oh, and best if he marries into the Qian Family!"

"Except for that last part, it sounds like you’re describing Jiang Ten. Not that it’s impossible. After all, you’ve made it into the Hidden Dragon List’s top thirty. Who knows?"

"Those are just my basic expectations! How is that describing Jiang Ten..." Qian Gongyu waved her hands, then suddenly froze. "Wait—I'm on the Hidden Dragon List!?"

"Yes, since you’ve undergone your Second Job Change and you’re under thirty, getting on the Hidden Dragon List is only natural." Shang Xinlei stabbed her chopsticks into the Lion’s Head and took a huge bite. "Our generation is pretty underwhelming. Everyone ranked behind you got their Second Job Change by being fed manuals."

The Hidden Dragon List was a ranking compiled by the Great Liang court, evaluating Messengers under thirty. Being ranked not only brought fame but greatly boosted one’s family contributions. For someone like Qian Gongyu, from a modest noble family, it was extremely attractive.

"So I’m famous now?" Qian Gongyu was excited. "Will people recognize me on the street?"

"Passersby might not, but among the noble families, many probably will." Shang Xinlei spread her hands. "Though it’s not really because of the Hidden Dragon List—it’s because you’re Jiang Ten’s... master?"

Qian Gongyu sighed, her face full of longing. "Jiang Ten hasn’t even sent a letter. I wonder if she still remembers her master."

"I’d bet you’d actually dare to..."

"What? Even if Jiang Ten stood before me, she’d still have to call me ‘Young Miss’!"

"Yes, yes." Shang Xinlei said, "By the way, I’m currently ranked third on the Hidden Dragon List. I’ll be reaching Third Job Change soon. When that happens, you can move up one spot—how’s that?"

"Great!" Qian Gongyu stuck out her tongue and made a funny face.

Laughter and chatter filled Shuiyue Pavilion. Shang Xinlei ate heartily, as if she had returned to being that energetic and mischievous Fourth Miss. When Qian Gongyu finished peeling another shrimp, Shang Xinlei suddenly tried to snatch it. But Qian Gongyu reacted quickly, dodging and countering with swift moves. Ultimately, she stuffed the shrimp into her mouth, ending the shrimp battle with victory.

"Speaking of which, Mansu Woodland will conclude in a few days. There’ll be ten Grand Treasure Chests distributed. I wonder what will be inside." Shang Xinlei bit on her chopsticks and said, "Because the four of us made major contributions, we’ll get forty percent of the total allocation—ten percent each. Yes, Jiang Ten’s share is counted as yours. If she ever comes back, you can return it to her."

"You’re even giving me a share?" Qian Gongyu was surprised. "I thought..."

"With me and the Jie Young Miss around, what’s yours won’t be shorted even by a fraction." Shang Xinlei said earnestly.

"I know." Qian Gongyu nodded. "You’d never harm me, Xinlei. So..."

She picked up a giant prawn and, while peeling, asked,

"Does this mean I can never leave the Shang Family again?"