Volume 1 Chapter 20: Assigning Someone to Protect Her

The masked man spoke. "There is no need for thanks; it was merely a trivial effort. If fate permits, we shall meet again, young lady."

He then glanced at the assassin whom Jiang Jinshu had dispatched with her silver needles. "You are quite different from the many noble ladies of the Imperial City. However, since you are the wife of Shen Nanxing, and he has sent men to assassinate you over mere financial disputes, I fear you must make some plans once you return."

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Jinshu’s eyes. "I thank you for the warning, sir. I will not sit idly by. Since you do not wish to reveal your name, I will not press you, but should you ever have need of me in the future, do not hesitate to ask."

Caiping walked over, limping. "Miss, the coachman has fainted, and it looks like his injuries are severe. The horse is dead, and the carriage is shattered. It is already dark; how are we to return to the city?"

Jiang Jinshu frowned. She and Caiping could walk, but they were outside the city walls, and she could not simply abandon the coachman.

The masked man spoke up. "Young lady, I have already signaled my men. If you trust me, I shall take you back to the city."

Jiang Jinshu felt a surge of relief. "Then I must trouble you, sir. I owe you yet another favor."

Soon, several guards on horseback arrived. The masked man whistled, and a horse trotted over from nearby. Jiang Jinshu checked the coachman's injuries; he had likely been thrown from the carriage first, and the impact had been severe enough to break his limbs.

The masked man commanded, "Leave a few men behind to secure a carriage and send the coachman back to the Shen residence." He then led the horse over. "Young lady, allow me to help you up."

Though propriety usually forbade such physical contact, there was no choice; if they did not return tonight, the Shen family would surely stir up more trouble. "Then I am indebted to you."

With his assistance, she mounted the horse. The man swung up behind her, reached around to take the reins, and urged the horse forward. A guard followed with Caiping. As the night deepened, the group rode toward the Imperial City.

At the Shen residence, Madame Shen sat in the Star Pavilion, looking anxious. "Xing’er, there won't be any accidents, will there?"

Shen Nanxing, reclining on the bed, spoke with certainty. "Mother, rest easy. The men Shen Yi took are death warriors trained in secret. Tomorrow will be Jiang Jinshu’s death anniversary."

Madame Shen nodded. "That is for the best. If she is to blame, let it be for her lack of respect and disobedience. Had she been more docile and managed the Shen household well, we might have spared her life."

Due to the delay caused by the assassination attempt, the city gates were closed upon their arrival. However, after the masked man displayed a token to the guards, the gates were opened. Jiang Jinshu was surprised; it was clear that her savior was no ordinary person.

The masked man leaned close to her ear. "What is the young lady thinking about?"

Jiang Jinshu quickly replied, "Nothing, only that you are quite impressive, sir, to have the city guards make an exception for you."

The man chuckled. "You flatter me."

Because they were on horseback, the proximity was intimate. Jiang Jinshu could feel his breath against her ear and instinctively tilted her head away. Noticing her reddened earlobe, the man’s lips curled into a smile.

Once they reached the streets of the Imperial City, he broke the silence. "Shall I take you directly to the Shen residence?"

Jiang Jinshu looked toward the roadside, clutching the token given to her by Madame Zhou. "Take me to the Sui Rong Fabric Shop."

The man nodded. Upon arrival, he dismounted and helped her down. Jiang Jinshu bowed politely. "Thank you, sir. Please remember that should you ever need my assistance, do not stand on ceremony."

The man nodded, swung back onto his horse, and prepared to leave. Caiping was also helped down. Jiang Jinshu knocked on the shop door. After several insistent knocks, someone finally opened it.

"Who is it?"

Seeing a woman, Jiang Jinshu smiled and presented the token. "Sister, I am Jiang Jinshu. The Third Madame of the Zhou family is my maternal aunt, and she gave me this token today."

The woman examined the token and nodded. "So, it is the young cousin. Please, come in."

Jiang Jinshu and Caiping followed her inside. By the dim light of a lantern, she saw stacks of fabrics. "I am Manager Liu," the woman explained. "I was a maid to the Madame before she opened this shop, and she entrusted me with its management. I live in the courtyard behind the shop, which is why you haven't seen me at the Zhou residence."

Jiang Jinshu followed her inside. "So it is Manager Liu."

Manager Liu led them into the courtyard. "There are two embroiderers and two handymen living in the side rooms. I live next to them. This area is where the Madame inspects the accounts, and the other rooms are warehouses."

Jiang Jinshu, physically and mentally exhausted from the night's events, sat on a chair. "Caiping, sit down as well."

Manager Liu offered, "Rest a while, Miss. I will brew some tea and have the embroiderers prepare some food."

Soon, Manager Liu returned with tea. "Miss, if I may be so bold, what happened? There is blood on your clothes. Do you need me to send word to the Zhou residence?"

Jiang Jinshu warmed her hands on the cup. "Manager Liu, we encountered assassins on the road. I ask that you keep this a secret; I do not wish to worry my family. I was visiting my grandmother, and I would hate for her to know I was in danger."

Manager Liu nodded. "If you wish it, I shall say nothing. What do you need me to do?"

"Provide me and Caiping with fresh clothes and a carriage. I must return to the Shen residence."

Manager Liu agreed, "We have a carriage. Since we are a shop in the city, we occasionally have troublemakers, so the two handymen are skilled in martial arts. They are women the Third Madame hired at a high price. Given your situation... I will have one of them accompany you back."

The Shen residence was a den of wolves. Although she possessed medical skills and had prepared various concoctions, having a skilled bodyguard would be a wise precaution. "Thank you, Manager Liu. I will be sure to speak highly of your diligence and foresight to my aunt. I am in need of someone just like you—perhaps you could lend her to me for a while? I will write a letter for you to take to my aunt, and she will surely agree."

Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard, the masked man removed his blood-stained mask. His face was that of a celestial being, none other than the allegedly frail Zhou Shiyu.

A guard bowed. "My Lord."

Zhou Shiyu said in a low voice, "Send two elite secret guards to protect Jiang Jinshu. Do not reveal yourselves unless her life is in danger."