Chapter 37: The Final Condition

To have saved the life of the Commander of the Red Dragon Guard is a favor of monumental proportions. Hao Mengye had long since realized that anyone aware of the Commander’s status would inevitably try to leverage it for personal gain. This was especially true for the young woman before him, who currently found herself in such a precarious predicament.

However, before the Commander had departed from the capital, he had issued an order: assist her three times, and the debt would be settled.

Hao Mengye spoke slowly, "Miss Yu, when I rescued you from the Su estate and chose not to expose your ruse, that was the first instance."

"Bringing Su Dingqin, Shen Zhiyuan, and that woman here to vent your grievances and clear your name was the second."

"My Commander stated that after three favors, all debts and grievances are wiped clean. You now have one final opportunity remaining. Tell me directly: what do you wish for me to do?"

It was only then that Yu Shengsheng understood the meaning behind his earlier remark about it being "the first time." There was only one chance left. She dared not be greedy; receiving the help of the Red Dragon Guard was already an unexpected miracle. She furrowed her brows in thought; her most urgent need was to leave the Su household.

"No rush, Miss Yu. Go tend to your wounds first," Hao Mengye said. He turned to the side and gave an order to his subordinates. Someone brought over medicine and led the way for her. Although there were no women present, there was a lounge available, and one room was set aside for her, with Jin Baobao attending to her.

Jin Baobao winced and asked cautiously, "Miss, if it hurts, just cry out. It’s fine; I won't laugh at you."

Yu Shengsheng chuckled softly. "I don't mind if you laugh. It’s alright, go ahead and apply the medicine; I can endure it."

Jin Baobao’s fingers trembled slightly as she sprinkled the medicinal powder onto the wounds. Yu Shengsheng gritted her teeth hard and squeezed her eyes shut.

Standing in the distance, Hao Mengye remained calm and composed, yet he listened intently to the sounds coming from the room. Not a single sound escaped her lips.

Hao Mengye gently stroked the hilt of his sword. "Is this the medicine as ordered?"

His subordinate bowed his head. "Yes, Commander. It is the finest golden trauma powder."

The medicine was of the highest quality, but it would sting fiercely upon application. To be able to endure it without a single sound—Hao Mengye’s gaze flickered toward the room, a sense of vigilance rising within him. The more resilient a person was, the more cautious one had to be.

"Go and see the man surnamed Shen."

Before he reached the holding area for Shen Zhiyuan, a subordinate came to report. "Commander, someone from the Shen family has arrived and requests to see you."

Hao Mengye did not stop walking. "Refuse them."

Upon reaching the cell, Shen Zhiyuan and Ru Jian were each huddled in a corner. The only difference was that Shen Zhiyuan was glaring fiercely at Ru Jian, while Ru Jian kept her head bowed, her face hidden.

Hearing footsteps, Shen Zhiyuan turned and scrambled to his feet. "Commander! I am innocent! I was framed by the Su family!"

Hao Mengye sat down on a chair. "No rush. Tell me slowly: who framed you?"

...

Ruzhu knelt on the ground, trembling violently. Her back was soaked with cold sweat, yet she felt a chilling freeze. Su Yanshu’s eyes appeared frost-covered as he stared at her coldly. "Speak."

Ruzhu pressed her forehead to the floor. "Second Young Master, this servant... this servant was also acting under Ru Jian’s instructions. It was her—she gave me the medicine and told me to put it in Young Master Shen’s tea."

Su Yanshu twirled the ring on his finger. "Did you see the killing of the dog with your own eyes?"

"...Second Young Master, this servant..."

Su Yanshu smiled ever so slowly. "Come here."

...

After the initial pain subsided, Yu Shengsheng felt a sense of relief wash over her, and her mood lightened. This ordeal had not been in vain; despite the pain and humiliation, there had been gains. As for her reputation, she did not care; she had intended to destroy it herself anyway.

Jin Baobao’s dimples appeared as she smiled. "Miss, I told you! Heaven has eyes. Now that the Red Dragon Guard is standing up for you, that young lord won't be able to come to the capital either."

This was precisely what made Yu Shengsheng the happiest.

"Miss, what request are you planning to make to Commander Hao?" Jin Baobao thought it was truly stingy—a life-saving favor, yet only three requests were granted, and two had already been used up.

Just as Yu Shengsheng was about to answer, Hao Mengye knocked on the door. "Miss Yu, have you decided?"

Yu Shengsheng went to the door and curtsied. "I would like to ask you, Commander, to help me leave the Su family."

Hao Mengye’s gaze swept over her features. This woman appeared delicate, but was in fact tenacious, and possessed a face of stunning beauty. To become entangled with her would surely invite great trouble.

"Miss Yu, helping you leave the Su family is not a single request."

"You are well aware of your own situation. To leave would not just involve you; there are the grandmother and grandson of the Wu family as well. Not to mention them, even just for you alone—Kong Dezhao may be delayed in coming to the capital due to his injuries, but he will come. If you leave, the Red Dragon Guard would have to resolve far more than ten subsequent troubles for you."

Yu Shengsheng blushed. She had not truly considered all of this, but now that he laid it out, it was indeed the case.

"Change your request."

Jin Baobao wanted to speak, but was stopped by a look from Hao Mengye.

Yu Shengsheng bit her lip, thinking rapidly. "Then please, Commander, help me contact and protect one person."

"Who?"

"Qi Mubai."

When Yu Shengsheng spoke this name, her tone softened and lightened. Hao Mengye caught this shift with sharp intuition.

"Miss Yu, let me remind you: this is your final request. Are you sure you want to use it on someone else rather than yourself? Think carefully."

Yu Shengsheng curtsied again. "Thank you, Commander, but at the moment, aside from leaving the Su family, I have no other desires."

"I know this matter is not easy, and I do not wish to make things difficult for you, Commander. I will plan for my own departure slowly. I only ask that you help me contact Qi Mubai and keep him safe. When he succeeds in the imperial examinations and we meet again, I will certainly reward you handsomely."

Hao Mengye looked at her for a long time. "Miss Yu, when there are benefits to be had, keep them for yourself. If you lean on a mountain, it may crumble; only by relying on yourself will you never fall."

Yu Shengsheng was puzzled. "Commander, your words..."

"Nothing special, just a word of advice. Are you certain you want to use your final request on Qi Mubai?" Hao Mengye’s gaze darkened. "Once this is done, the Red Dragon Guard will have no further ties to you."

Yu Shengsheng quickly calculated her plan. Young Lord Kong could not reach the capital for some time, and the marriage had been postponed and not yet publicly announced. She was safe for now. As long as she endured and waited within the estate, she could confront the Su family when Qi Mubai came for her.

If she simply asked the Red Dragon Guard to rescue Grandmother Wu, Hao Mengye could certainly do it, but what then? How could their safety be guaranteed after leaving the Su estate? And Grandmother Wu’s young grandson was still under the Su family’s control. This was too dangerous; it was not the best strategy.

It would be better for Grandmother Wu and her grandson to remain in the Su estate for now and stay with her. At the very least, as long as they could endure, they could survive.

They only needed to hold out until the examination results were posted.

Qi Mubai would be a figure of great attention, and the Su family would certainly not want to be dragged into the spotlight. If he were to speak up, the likelihood of the Su family compromising would be high. At that time, she could take the grandson and leave with them.

Choosing Qi Mubai was her only optimal option.

"I am certain," she nodded slowly.

"Very well, I agree," Hao Mengye turned aside. "Miss Yu, you may return now."

Yu Shengsheng bowed. Jin Baobao could not help but ask, "What about the others?"

"Young General Su must cooperate with the investigation and will be held for two more days. As for Shen Zhiyuan and that woman, they have already been ransomed by the Shen family."

"As for the results, I believe you will know them once you return to the estate, Miss Yu." Hao Mengye gave an order: "Someone, prepare a carriage and escort Miss Yu home."

...

Old Madam Su had fainted for a while, and upon waking, she had smashed another tea set. The Shen family steward bowed his head, letting the shards of the cup brush against his robes.

"Is the Shen family trying to slap the face of my Su family?"