The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 571 - 420. The strategist enters the situation personally

Yun Xi was suddenly called, and she turned her head, her eyes catching sight of a woman dressed as a man walking along the corridor.

Dressed as a scholar, thick black hair peeking under her hat, a palm-sized face with round, charming eyes, a cool demeanor, and a pouch hanging at her waist, subtly revealing round objects inside.

It was indeed the Kuangfu Society member from Hu Ting back then, who had planned to assassinate Zhao Douan.

"Yue Bai jie!" Yun Xi broke into a radiant smile.

She had known Lin Yuebai for a long time; before following Zhuang Xiaocheng, Lin Yuebai had taught her many things.

The two were like sisters, but unfortunately, later she followed Zhuang Xiaocheng to the Capital, and Lin Yuebai went to a local sub-branch, separating them ever since.

This time, Yun Xi, as one of the "court's prisoner exchange," smoothly returned to the Kuangfu Society with Qing Niao.

As Zhao Douan had predicted, Zhuang Xiaocheng indeed found an excuse, turning her and the other captives into virtual prisoners.

However, perhaps to appease people, at least on the surface, Yun Xi was no different from other members and even had an extra layer of a lone hero aura.

Today is New Year's Eve, with many members gathered to celebrate the new year together.

Only then were the two able to reunite.

"Did the Grand Tutor call for me?"

Yun Xi tilted her head, standing up and dusting off the dirt on her pants, showing a puzzled expression: freewёbnoνel.com

"What's the matter?"

Lin Yuebai smiled, naturally taking the girl's hand:

"I don't know myself, but the Grand Tutor has come this time and has already seen several brothers and sisters who suffered in prison and have returned alone."

Is Old Dog individually questioning the captives?

Yun Xi felt a stir in her heart, growing wary inside, her face displaying a look of understanding and cluelessness.

Lin Yuebai stroked the girl's scarred little hand, her eyes filled with pity and tenderness, and sighed:

"You've suffered during those days, captured by the court's lackeys, especially that traitor surnamed Zhao, surely undergoing endless torment. Fortunately, you've now finally escaped the wolf's den, the Grand Tutor must be worried about you..."

Before the prisoner exchange, Yun Xi proactively underwent a round of punishment to strengthen her disguise—if she returned chubby and rosy, even a fool would know there was a problem with her.

Seeing Lin Yuebai's self-reproach and heartache, full of hatred for the court's lackeys, Yun Xi hesitated to speak.

She very much wanted to tell the other the truth.

But then she recalled before her release, Zhao Douan had personally given her "spy training," a series of dense rules, including "networking" skills, who knows where he got those from.

In short, hastily developing "companions" before sufficient investigation is extremely dangerous.

"It's all in the past," Yun Xi forced a slight smile.

But in Lin Yuebai's eyes, this expression was a strong girl using a smile to cover up past suffering, she clenched her teeth and said seriously:

"Yun Xi, although the last assassination of that Zhao thief failed, I promise you, as long as I am alive, and our brothers and sisters are here, one day, we'll avenge you and dismember that Zhao thief!"

No... you don't know how terrifying that guy is, I assure you, in the end, it's you who will fail... Yun Xi murmured in her heart, face showing emotion: "Yue Bai sister, let's go."

The two women walked through the corridor towards another courtyard.

This was a private estate; in summer, grapes were grown, and local people only thought it was the property of a wealthy gentry, unaware it was a rebel stronghold.

Tonight, the estate was decorated festively, Kuangfu Society members were feasting and dancing, on such a grand occasion, the government had relaxed their search, and the rebels had ceased their sabotage activities.

Both sides—officials and rebels—had tacitly agreed to a holiday ceasefire.

A rare moment of relaxation.

When Yun Xi arrived at a dwelling, she happened to see the door open, and the maid, Qing Niao, walked out.

The two exchanged glances, Qing Niao's eyes lit up, she seemed to want to say something, but upon seeing Lin Yuebai, she shut her mouth.

"You're here to see the Grand Tutor too?" Yun Xi spoke first, keeping with her persona.

Qing Niao murmured a response, stepping aside and gesturing for her to enter.

Lin Yuebai patted the girl's shoulder for encouragement, and the two left.

...

Once they were gone, Yun Xi took a deep breath, scarred hands pushing open the door, Zhuang Xiaocheng stood with his back to the door, facing the wall.

On the wall hung a map of Yu Country's domain, marked with various colors.

Zhuang Xiaocheng turned around, the elderly man with the demeanor of a National Scholar looked more exhausted than half a year ago, seeing his entering female disciple, guilt and heartfelt pain filled his expression: "Yun Xi..."

"Disciple greets the teacher." Yun Xi appropriately displayed a look of grievance and excitement.

Perfectly portraying the feeling of an abandoned child being reunited with a family member—before leaving prison, Zhao Douan had repeatedly rehearsed this scene with her.

"As Zhuang Xiaocheng's disciple, you will certainly be scrutinized, if your acting isn't up to par, and flaws are seen, it will be extremely dangerous!" Zhao Douan had once said solemnly:

"Therefore, you must practice to perfection, or be content to stay in the Imperial Prison, forget about the prisoner exchange."

And now, the numerous rehearsals showed significant results; even with Zhuang Xiaocheng's sharp eyes, he could not detect any flaws.

He hurriedly circled out from the table, with the acting skills of an experienced politician, perfectly played the role of a regretful and worried elder:

"You... suffered! I just hate my incompetence, that day in the Southern Suburb Bamboo Forest..."

"Teacher, I understand! The Earth God's mana was limited; taking you away then was the best choice..." Yun Xi said.

Laughing coldly inside:

If I didn't already know the truth, I would surely be deceived by this Old Dog, continuing to be devoted to him without question.

Zhuang Xiaocheng, touched, tears welling up, pulled his disciple close, expressing concern and care.

Guilt and remorse plain in his expression, he even squeezed out a couple of tears, after these two actors delivering a scene of deep teacher-student affection enough to audition for major drama schools.