At Last, the Spirit Fox; Yellow Dew Ahead; White Face, Red Bow; the Fish Takes the Hook

Wen Caishang bid Fu Haoran farewell and boarded her fragrant carriage. Xiao Tuan had pink, tender, silky cheeks, round as a little meat bun. Though petite, she was remarkably capable. With a sweet cry of "Giddyup," she sent the carriage racing through the streets and away from Emerald Bamboo Residence. She asked innocently and curiously, "Madam, is that boy really his younger brother?"

Inside the carriage, Wen Caishang smoothed her sleeves and folded them neatly across her knees. Sitting with dignified poise, she said softly, "Yes."

Xiao Tuan said, "Why not seize him and use him as leverage?" Wen Caishang replied, "Master Fu possesses Fortune. One must act with propriety around him. Such brute force would be utterly unbecoming. If he came to demand justice, it would be difficult to handle."

Scholars possessed Fortune. Fortune was a scale that weighed reason. Whoever held the right would receive Heaven's aid. Fu Haoran had been demoted, and his Fortune was no longer what it had once been, yet his learning remained vast and he was respected by many. Wen Caishang did not wish to drive matters to the bitter end.

Wen Caishang said, "Besides, I wish to seek his guidance. Such an opportunity is rare. That is the truth." Yet she thought, Why would I need to seize him? As long as I know where he is, he is already in the palm of my hand. That little thief may be cunning, but he values loyalty deeply. Otherwise, he would not have... Hmph. I have seized his lifeline. Let us see what waves he can still stir up. Hmph!

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Within the Snow Dragon Mountain Range.

Gu Nianjun and Li Xian had reached an agreement to cooperate, temporarily setting aside their past grievances. It was early morning, so they