Crimson Nine closed Xiao Zhan's door with a light touch, her fingertips still retaining the warmth from when she had brushed against his collar while tucking him in. She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the inexplicable fluttering in her chest, and turned to return to the room she shared with Blue Five.
The moment she entered, she was met by Blue Five's eyes, which were sparkling with such intense gossip-seeking energy they practically threatened to bore holes in her face. Feeling self-conscious, Crimson Nine shifted her gaze away impatiently. "Why are you staring at me? Is there gold on my face?"
"No gold," Blue Five leaned in with a mysterious smirk. "But there are flowers."
"What flowers? What nonsense are you talking about now?" Crimson Nine forced herself to stay composed, sitting at the table and taking a sip of water to hide the flush that hadn't quite faded.
"The flowers of a blooming heart!" Blue Five giggled, wearing a 'I've seen right through you' expression. "Captain, your attitude toward that handsome Prince... tsk tsk. That gaze, that tenderness—it's definitely not ordinary."
"I don't have time for you." Crimson Nine set down her teacup, her expression turning serious as she gave a firm reminder: "Stop calling him 'Prince.' We've reached the Southern Tang border; there are too many eyes and ears. You need to change how you address him to avoid trouble."
"Fine, fine. Mission first." Blue Five reined in her smile, tilting her head in thought. "Then what should I call him? Master Xiao? Young Master Xiao? Or just 'Boss'?"
"Up to you," Crimson Nine pursed her lips, the image of Xiao Zhan pleading for her to change his name flashing through her mind. Her voice dropped an octave. "Just make sure the word 'Prince' never leaves your mouth again."
"Then... how about I call him 'Brother-in-law'?" Blue Five raised an eyebrow playfully.
"What brother-in-law!" Crimson Nine nearly choked on her water, glaring at her with a mix of shame and irritation. "You're getting more ridiculous by the second."
"How is that ridiculous?" Blue Five began counting on her fingers with perfect logic. "Our squad is like family. In terms of age, Yellow Seven is Big Sister, you're Second Sister, and I'm the Little Sister. Since you've already bowed to the heavens and married the guy, calling him 'Brother-in-law' is only natural and right, isn't it?"
Looking at Blue Five's dead-serious expression, Crimson Nine found herself unable to argue. she could only turn away in frustration, though her heart stubbornly skipped a beat at the title "Brother-in-law."
Elsewhere, the merchant ship of the Linglong Pavilion glided steadily across the river. The cabin was filled with the faint scent of medicinal herbs.
Yellow Seven leaned against the couch, her face pale, with thick bandages wrapped around her arm and ankle. She reached out with effort and handed a heavy sandalwood box to Uncle Li, who was waiting by the bed.
"Uncle Li, inside this box are the indentured servitude contracts for all the servants of Prince Qi's Manor." Her voice was weak but carried an undeniable, cool authority. "The manor is now nothing but ash; it's time for these servants to be dispersed. When we reach the rendezvous point, give this to Songbai. Tell him to return the contracts to everyone and distribute the severance silver I've prepared so they can find a safe place to live their own lives."
Uncle Li took the box with trembling hands. "...Princess, you must keep at least a few trustworthy people to serve you."
"There is no need." Yellow Seven waved her hand dismissively, gazing out at the churning river. "And don't call me 'Princess' anymore. Prince Qi's Manor is gone. As long as Hao'er can grow up safely, those titles are nothing but hollow chains to us."
"You are wise, Miss. It was this old servant who was being stubborn," Uncle Li said, his voice choking as he corrected his address.
"Uncle Li, you, Songbai, and Uncle Li have worked hard for most of your lives. Take the silver I left you and find a quiet place by the mountains or water to retire," Yellow Seven instructed softly, her brow furrowing slightly. "The silver I set aside for you all—is it enough?"
"It is enough, but..." Uncle Li wiped the corner of his eye, looking at her with concern. "Miss, you gave the lion's share to the servants. There isn't much left for you. How will you and the young master manage your livelihood?"
"Money can be earned again once it's gone, but a life is only given once." Yellow Seven turned her head, her expression hardening. "I don't want any of you to lose your lives for the sake of the fallen Prince Qi's Manor. Only if you are safe will I have fulfilled my duty to my father. Do you understand?"
"I... I understand." Uncle Li bowed his head, deeply moved. In this world, there were countless royals and nobles, but who among them didn't view servants as mere grass? Only his mistress would painstakingly plan for the future of her servants while her own life hung by a thread.
"Uncle Li, how much longer until we reach our destination?"
"To answer Miss, about two more days by water."
"I see. And Hao'er?" Mentioning her brother, a trace of tenderness finally touched Yellow Seven's cold eyes.
"The young master is on the deck practicing martial arts with Teacher Lin." Uncle Li's tone brightened. "The young master is very sensible; he follows Teacher Lin's moves perfectly and never complains of being tired."
"He knows the world has changed. He is no longer the little prince with a roof over his head. He must become strong to survive." Yellow Seven nodded, closing her eyes with exhaustion. "Go now. You don't need to watch over me."
"Yes, this servant withdraws." Uncle Li bowed respectfully. "Rest well, Miss. With this old servant and Teacher Lin standing guard, we won't let anything disturb you."
The cabin grew quiet, save for the sound of waves lapping against the hull. Yellow Seven slowly raised her left hand, her fingertips stroking the high-tech bracer that looked so out of place in this ancient setting.
At that moment, two colored lights on the bracer were pulsing in a regular pattern. The glow was faint but steady.
"It seems the Captain and Blue Five have regrouped." She stared at the light, a faint smile of relief finally touching her pale lips.
In this strange era and volatile situation, this light was more than a location marker—it was the only connection to her comrades she could feel after a year of fighting alone.
She lowered her hand and turned to look at the scenery racing past the window.
"I once thought I could build a world for Hao'er in Southern Tang, protecting him for a lifetime..." she murmured, her tone carrying a hint of self-mockery.
Fate was a fickle thing. The Southern Tang Emperor's decree to bring her into the palace as a consort had been the fire that burned away all her exits, forcing her to destroy the Linglong Pavilion she had built over the year. Once, she was the noble "Princess of Prince Qi's Manor," bound by duty. Now, after that great fire, Princess Qi Xuan no longer existed.
"From now on, I am only Qi Yunxuan."
She spoke her long-lost birth name, her gaze shifting from lost to sharp. Without the title of "Princess," she was no longer a pawn in a power game, but a special ops soldier who could fight alongside her teammates and control her own destiny.
She took a deep breath, feeling the strength beating in her chest, and made a silent vow: Captain, Blue Five... wait for me.
Outside, the waves roared on. But on this night of surging undercurrents, three souls from the future were finally being drawn together by the threads of fate, ready to complete their final assembly on the soil of Southern Tang