The next day.
The autumn light was just right.
Yu Yang went to Cloud Abode Courtyard.
Inside Maple Tree Pavilion.
Xie Chi was leisurely collecting paper balls into a cloth bag.
Seeing Yu Yang enter the courtyard, he raised his head with a gentle smile, his brows retaining an elegant demeanor.
“Miss Yu.”
Yu Yang walked into the pavilion with her hands behind her back and said, “The servants said that Uncle should be able to return home by noon.”
Xie Chi nodded slightly.
“Good.”
An autumn breeze swept by, rustling the branches and leaves.
Cheng Liu brought a tray.
He placed two cups of tea before each of them.
He then handed a letter to Yu Yang.
“Miss, a letter from Fuyang County. Young Master Su’s birthday is in two days.”
Yu Yang was momentarily stunned and said, “I had truly forgotten.”
She took the letter, hesitated for a moment, and looked at Xie Chi.
Xie Chi asked with amusement, “Do you have something to say to me?”
Yu Yang smiled with curved eyes. “Nothing escapes the Shizi.”
She paused, gathering her thoughts before speaking. “Shizi, I actually plan to wander the world in my remaining days. If I were to leave alone, although Uncle would agree, he would inevitably worry day and night.”
Xie Chi was taken aback.
Yu Yang looked at Xie Chi with hopeful eyes.
“Isn’t the Shizi planning to tour the southwest? Could you take me along? If the Shizi is willing to bring me, Uncle would surely be pleased and have fewer worries.”
After speaking, she turned her head and coughed lightly twice, then stared at Xie Chi with an expression that said, “I have unfinished wishes.”
Xie Chi frowned slightly.
Was she using wandering as an excuse to leave Nanpu so her family wouldn’t know about her illness?
Seeing that Xie Chi didn’t respond, Yu Yang sighed inwardly.
It seemed the third step had failed.
After a moment of silence, she said, “If the Shizi finds it inconvenient…”
“Not at all inconvenient,” Xie Chi said gently. “Miss Yu is skilled with poisons and acts prudently. Moreover, you are more familiar with the southwestern region than I am. If we can travel together, it would likely be Miss Yu protecting me more. It would be my honor.”
He smiled slightly. “Would Miss Yu be willing to travel with me for a while?”
Yu Yang was somewhat surprised.
Then she smiled warmly. “Of course, I’m willing.”
With the agreement settled.
Yu Yang said, “I wonder where the Shizi plans to go first? How about I first go to Fuyang County to attend a friend’s birthday invitation? Since the Shizi is injured, you can rest at home for a few days.”
Xie Chi asked, “Did you just mention Fuyang County?”
Yu Yang was momentarily stunned.
“Yes. The Shizi might know that Uncle has some business acumen. In recent years, the Yu Family has mainly operated Medicine Workshops, making us quite wealthy in the southwest. But when Uncle left the princely estate, many of his followers came with him. To ensure they all had livelihoods, Uncle established various businesses under their names. As a result, I’ve acquired many identities and always use alternate ones when outside.”
She had many disguises in the outside world.
“The son of Fuyang County’s magistrate is a friend I made while disguised as a man. Fuyang County has Fuguang Pavilion, which has gained fame over the past two years due to the Fuguang Pavilion Rhapsody. The court allocated funds for its renovation, making Fuyang County increasingly lively.”
She said with a laugh, “If the Shizi has time, you could visit Fuguang Pavilion in Fuyang County.”
“What a coincidence.” Xie Chi seemed momentarily dazed upon hearing this.
Yu Yang was puzzled. “What?”
Xie Chi unfolded a paper ball in his hand.
On it were neatly written two characters –
Fuyang.
“The Emperor has commanded me to travel to the southwest in search of the Celestial Child, and ordered me to begin from Yue County. Being undecided, I resorted to drawing lots.”
The lot drawn pointed precisely to Fuyang County in Yue County.