Elder Monk Shan Ci was unaware of the contributions everyone had made for the Bai Residence last night. Seeing them arrive late with sleepy eyes, he shook his head and remorselessly punished them to kneel and copy scriptures as he lamented how easily young people could become lax.
As children accustomed to major upheavals, they did not tell Monk Shan Ci about the attack on the residence last night, including Lady Lin, who was also unaware that the Snow Garden had narrowly escaped a massacre.
The group hid their achievements and dutifully copied the large characters.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaomiao, the mastermind behind everything, had woken up refreshed early in the morning.
After much effort over the past few days, she had finally persuaded the Feathered Forest Guards to take action on her behalf. By now, Bai Junjun and Li Wenli must have been ghosts wandering the Road to the Yellow Springs, right?
Thinking of this made her unbearably happy.
Overflowing with joy, Zhao Xiaomiao took out her brightest red outfit from the wardrobe and put it on, then applied the brightest rouge. To those unaware, she could have been mistaken for a bride, who desired everything to be as red and joyful as possible.
Just as Zhao Xiaomiao had finished dressing up, her room door was suddenly flung open from outside.
Startled, Zhao Xiaomiao turned around to see Manager Qiao standing at the doorway.
Seeing Manager Qiao, Zhao Xiaomiao put away her displeasure and stood up respectfully to greet him.
"Shopkeeper, good morning."
Manager Qiao, with his hands clasped behind his back, walked in.
Indeed, Manager Qiao was a man of few words and smiles. Besides assigning tasks, he seldom interacted with her.
Today, Manager Qiao’s sudden visit to her room made Zhao Xiaomiao’s scalp tighten, fearing that he had come to cause trouble over last night’s actions of the Feathered Forest Guards.
After all, the Dongsheng Tavern had a rule: any guest who received the Flying Flower Order was considered a distinguished guest of the Dongsheng Tavern and was not to be disturbed without good reason.
Could it be that Manager Liu knew about this and had come to give her a warning?
As Zhao Xiaomiao’s thoughts ran wild, Manager Qiao finally spoke, "How is the task the master assigned to you progressing?"
"Ah?" Zhao Xiaomiao was momentarily stunned and did not catch on.
Manager Qiao frowned slightly, "It has been over a month; surely you must have learned something by now."
On hearing this, Zhao Xiaomiao breathed a sigh of relief; it was not about investigating her private affairs after all.
Calm and collected again, Zhao Xiaomiao lowered her gaze and responded, "I’ve already made some progress, shopkeeper. The Thousand-household of the Feathered Forest Guards has said he will take me there in a few days."
Manager Qiao nodded and handed her a box.
"When you go there, remember to release this insect."
Zhao Xiaomiao looked at the palm of Manager Qiao’s hand somewhat surprised, and after a moment, hesitantly accepted it.
The box was about the size of a rouge container, light to the touch, but she knew that whatever was inside was far from a simple insect.
Not daring to take any chances, she carefully placed the box in a safe location.
Then Manager Qiao added, "Do your job well. The master will soon be here, and if he arrives and you still can’t provide what he wants, no one can save you."
Zhao Xiaomiao clenched her fists. "Don’t worry, shopkeeper, I won’t disappoint you."
Manager Qiao nodded and walked out.
Watching Manager Qiao retreat, Zhao Xiaomiao then composed herself and prepared for another busy day in the hall.
However, Zhao Xiaomiao was stunned when she entered the bustling hall, never expecting to see two familiar faces sitting there.
Watching the two of them nonchalantly drinking morning tea and eating steamed buns, Zhao Xiaomiao felt as if she were seeing ghosts.
They...they...weren’t they already dead?
Naturally, the people Zhao Xiaomiao was shocked to see were Bai Junjun and Li Wenli.
In Zhao Xiaomiao’s mind, the Feathered Forest Guards of the Imperial Capital had already disposed of Bai Junjun and Li Wenli.