Footsteps echoed in the courtyard.
Meng Qianqian’s heart tightened.
The next instant, she heard a familiar yet deliberately hushed voice, "Sister!"
Meng Qianqian’s tense expression softened, and she turned around, speaking softly, "I’m here."
Tan’er stepped into the courtyard, following the sound to the cellar. She crouched on the ground, poking her little head inside and looking around curiously: "Huh? Where are you?"
There was some distance between the cellar entrance and the secret chamber.
Meng Qianqian wanted to go and meet Tan’er, but as soon as she turned, she realized her hand was being held more tightly than ever before, the grip stronger than last time.
Meng Qianqian wasn’t concerned about herself—she worried that brute force might end up hurting him.
So, Meng Qianqian gently patted the wall with her hand.
Tan’er replied softly, and with a quick move, slid down into the cellar.
She was greeted by walls covered with strange talisman papers, a gigantic array etched on the floor, and overhead, two lanterns resembling the fierce, glaring eyes of a ghost.
She commented, "Sister, it’s so creepy here!"
Having completed her tour of the cellar, she quickly made her way into the secret chamber.
"Huh, there’s someone here?"
She dashed over to Meng Qianqian’s side.
She felt no malice from the man, nor did she see displeasure or killing intent in Meng Qianqian’s gaze.
Tilting her head in curiosity, she asked, "Who is he? Why did he grab your hand?"
The man didn’t respond.
Meng Qianqian sighed softly, "Judging from his condition, he’s likely been imprisoned for so long that he’s lost the ability to communicate."
Tan’er bent down, leaning in to inspect him, her head cocked to the side.
Wrinkles creased the corners of his eyes, his gaze wide and fixed, as though glaring at Tan’er—or perhaps merely staring into space.
Tan’er waved her hand in front of his face: "No reaction at all!"
Meng Qianqian added, "It’s hard to say what kind of grudge the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion holds against him, to imprison him here for so long."
Tan’er tugged lightly at his beard, but still, there was no response.
Turning toward Meng Qianqian, she asked, "Sister, what should we do?"
Meng Qianqian glanced at the man and contemplated thoughtfully, "We take him with us."
Tan’er agreed without hesitation.
Tan’er had never questioned Meng Qianqian’s decisions, no matter how irrational or dangerous they might seem—actions that might strike most as overly cold-blooded, like poisoning Shang Wuyou; she supported Meng Qianqian unwaveringly.
To her, her sister was always right.
This was her conviction.
But now came a dilemma. The man had been imprisoned for so long that, beyond losing the ability to speak, even walking had become extraordinarily difficult for him.
Adding to that, he refused to release Meng Qianqian’s wrist, leaving Tan’er with no choice but to carry him out on her back.
Through it all, he never let go of Meng Qianqian.
"Lucky you arrived in time."
Tan’er puffed up with pride.
The two left the courtyard together.
Meng Qianqian’s gaze quickly landed on Hunting Eagle perched among the branches, keeping watch.
The cause was easy to deduce—without Hunting Eagle guiding the way, Tan’er wouldn’t have found this place.
Although Hunting Eagle was deeply tempted by dried meat treats, its rigorous training ensured unwavering focus in tasks, unless... it had decided not to complete its mission.
"Go and notify Lu Yuan."
Hunting Eagle pretended not to hear.
"Bring him here—three pieces of dried meat."
Hunting Eagle vanished.
With spies stationed around Lady Yan’s courtyard, Meng Qianqian could easily slip past unnoticed on her own. However, trying to sneak in with such an unusual group would be almost impossible.
Luckily, Tan’er, having spent so much time in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, was already intimately familiar with its layout.
"Sister, there’s a woodshed nearby."
The three headed for the woodshed and waited there for Lu Yuan.
Meng Qianqian had carefully considered many options before deciding to have Hunting Eagle deliver the message to Lu Yuan.
Ever since Gongsun Liuying’s incident, the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion had significantly tightened its defenses—patrolling disciples had doubled, and the outer perimeter was now guarded every ten steps.
Sneaking such a large man out unnoticed would be nothing short of climbing to the heavens.
Meng Qianqian’s mind churned with plans.
Tan’er’s eyes, however, held only her sister.
Tan’er squatted down, her gaze fixed on Meng Qianqian’s wrist, which was nearly bruised from the man’s grip. She extended her own hand, "Why don’t you let go of Sister’s hand, okay? If you’re scared, you can hold onto mine!"
The man didn’t budge.
"Does he know you, Sister?"
Tan’er asked in puzzlement, "Why does he only grab your hand?"
After a moment’s thought, Meng Qianqian responded, "Perhaps I’m the first ’stranger’ he’s seen since being imprisoned."
Tan’er nodded uncertainly, "Alright then."
Meng Qianqian asked, "Tired?"
Tan’er nodded, settling herself on a small stool and resting her head on Meng Qianqian’s lap.
Meng Qianqian gently stroked her cheek, "Sleep for a while."
Tan’er replied sweetly and drifted off to sleep peacefully.
Meanwhile, Hunting Eagle, enticed by the promise of three pieces of dried meat, flapped furiously toward the Imperial Palace, its wings moving so fast they seemed to spark from the effort.