Translator:Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor:Nyoi-Bo Studio

The night was completely silent. There was a refreshing iciness in the corner outside the city of Xiangyang District, making ones pores shrink.

Taxue who was dressed in the uniform of the female battalion waited in the dark for a while. The bushes in the distance rustled.

Not long after, a tiny figure wearing thick, black clothes emerged from the bushes.

The strange person was unusually short. He was only one head taller than the dense bushes outside the city when he stood up. If he bent down and wormed himself into the bushes, one would not notice his trace at all. He fumbled his way through to where Taxue was and made a strange chuckling sound.

He spoke mystifyingly in a hoarse and grating voice, Youre even more precious than the princess in the palace. Its really difficult to meet you.

Taxue was originally leaning against the corner of the city wall. Seeing the man walking towards her, she uncrossed her arms and hurled a bag at him.

This is the stuff that you want. Just take it and leave. Taxue threw the bag into the mans arms and turned to leave.

Wait a second, little lady. The short man snickered and asked with a weird voice, I heard that Xiangyang District is incredibly affluent. Even the priceless colored glaze has originated from this place Youve served the Young Master personally for so many years. Dont you have any bits and pieces of information? The information that you provide every time is useless. Do you think youre brushing a beggar off?

Taxue glanced at him sideways and looked down at the man indifferently. Ive always ignored beggars. If they dare to pester me, theyll definitely die even more miserably. If youre a beggar, how do you think Ill brush you off? Im just her little servant girl. I cant even enter places like her study, so I cant obtain anything useful. Ive already tried my best

Seeing that Taxue was a bit flared up, he hurriedly appeased her, Dont be mad, little lady. Ive only said that because Im helpless. You havent provided anything useful in the past few years, so the higher-ups are angry. If you continue to slack, we both will face the music. You dont want your pretty sister to end up in a place like that and be ruined, right?

Taxue sneered and replied coldly, Youre really useless. Youve threatened me with the same trick over and over again.

The man smirked and admitted brazenly, It doesnt matter if the trick is old, as long as its useful. I heard that Liu Xi treats you very kindly and generously. He can take you in as a mistress in the future. If you can give birth to a son and a daughter, considering the sentiments between a master and a servant, youll have a comfortable life. Your sister is the only card I have in my hands. If I dont hang onto her tightly, why would you work yourself to death for me when youre so smart?

Taxue looked disgusted and lowered her head, as if she was thinking about what the man said and considering something.

The man continued, Forget it. I heard that the colored glaze is very valuable and it belongs to the Guannei Official, Xugong. Its difficult for ordinary people to get their hands on it. Now, the barbarians in the North borderline have bought all of them at a high price. Im not asking you to give me the colored glaze, but you have to find a way to obtain the methods of producing the baked bricks. Dont tell me that you cant even do this when youve been serving Liu Xi for years.

Taxue pursed her lips and a look of struggle flashed across her eyes, as if she was struggling emotionally.

After a while, she said, Ill try my best, but I cant guarantee that Ill get it. You know that Liu Xi is extremely alert. She doesnt trust anyone but herself. I cant even get to know her secrets. She has probably hidden the methods of producing the baked bricks somewhere. I can only try my best Come back again in six months

Half a year? The mans voice suddenly became high-pitched.

Taxue sneered. Half a years time is already very tight. Liu Xi is no longer the kid who can be easily fooled. Shes as sharp as an old fox now. Shell even suspect the tiniest abnormality. If Im exposed, the last pawn that youve planted beside her will be useless. Who will pass on her news to you in the future? Xunmei has already defected. Dont expect her to be useful.

The man hesitated and struggled internally. He still felt that half a years time was too long.

Taxue continued, She takes me wherever she goes and the district headquarters are usually strictly guarded. Had she not gone out for war this time, how can I get the opportunity to contact you? Half a years time is tight enough. If you think its too long, you can find yourself another pawn!

The man almost choked upon hearing what Taxue said.

If planting a pawn was that easy, would Taxue and Xunmei be the only ones all these years?

Xunmei had long ridden Liu Xis coattails. She had gotten married and started a new life.

Fortunately, Xunmei did not know any confidential information. Otherwise, how could she be kept alive?

Taxue was different. She was cruel and merciless. She had helped them with a lot of confidential matters.

Talents were difficult to raise. Talents who could disguise themselves to avoid being discovered by Liu She were even more difficult to raise.

Although Liu She had become crestfallen for a period of time due to the passing of his beloved wife, his ability in guarding and clearing a residence was not for show. He had quietly gotten rid of the pawns planted in his residence. They died miserably. His method of killing was diabolical.

He had clearly vented his sorrow over his wifes death on those pawns.

Even if Liu She had gone to Hu County later, the two women, Gu Zhen and Bai Die, were guarding the Liu residence. They were still impervious.

He had spent so much effort in keeping these two pawns.

He was unwilling to give Taxue up now.

He could only grit his teeth and agree. Okay. Ill give you half a years time. You must obtain the methods of producing the baked bricks.

Taxue nodded. Her aloof face became somewhat gentler.

After that, she asked, Is my sister doing well now?

The man replied petulantly, Shes living a princess-like life. Shes well.

Thats good. Taxue looked gloomy, but she heaved a long sigh of relief.

Before leaving, the man asked again, Does Liu She really not have any other daughter in the Liu residence?

Taxue replied, unperturbed, No. Hasnt Liu She married off his only daughter born of his mistress into the royal family?

The man muttered under his breath and left with Taxues bag.

He did not forget to irritate her before leaving.

Taxue, weve known each other for more than 10 years. Ill say something that you and I both already know. Dont be silly like Xunmei. We have to be loyal to our master to secure a good life in the future. Remember that were the most obedient dogs the master has. We can only bark if she asks us to. Otherwise, well be mad dogs if we bark furiously at random. Dont be drawn over by Liu Xi

The man wormed himself into the bushes again when he had finished speaking.

The wind blew. The darkness had covered Taxues strange and glum face.

My master? Who says that Im loyal to your master or Liu Xi

After a while, a distant laugh disappeared into the night wind.