The Great Escape and New Beginnings

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the palace grounds. Yang Mi, Tan Yuan, and Tan Qi stood together in the dimly lit hallway, their breaths coming in hushed whispers.

"Are you sure you've thought of everything?" Tan Yuan asked, his voice barely audible.

Yang Mi nodded, her eyes steely with determination. "Yes, I've left a letter apologizing to my mother. She needs to understand that this is something I must do. Now, let's move quickly."

With one last glance at her bedroom, Yang Mi placed the neatly folded letter on her pillow. The trio then slipped silently through the palace corridors, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpets.

Outside, the palace grounds were quiet, the guards distracted by the carefully orchestrated commotion in the kitchens. They made their way to a small, rarely used gate where a carriage awaited them.

As the carriage rattled away from the palace, Yang Mi looked back one last time. "I hope Mother understands," she murmured.

"She will," Tan Qi reassured her. "She knows you are determined and resourceful."

Tan Yuan, seated across from them, added, "We'll start fresh in the capital. Everything will be different now."

The journey to the mortal world was uneventful, and soon they found themselves in the bustling capital. The trio quickly set about establishing their new identities. They rented a large mansion near the DongBo Inn, a prominent establishment in the city.

The arrival of the new marquis and his household caused quite a stir. "Did you hear? A new marquis has come from the borderlands!" whispered one merchant to another. "And he's the proud owner of DongBo Inn!"

Tan Yuan played the part of the marquis with ease, his demeanor commanding respect. Yang Mi took on the role of his younger sister, while Tan Qi remained her loyal maid. Their backstory was that they were orphans, left with a substantial inheritance.

The mansion was soon bustling with activity. Tan Qi efficiently hired more staff to take care of their new abode. "We need everything to be perfect for Lady Yang Mi," she instructed the new hires. "Her comfort is our top priority."

Yang Mi, meanwhile, was busy planning their business ventures. "Tan Yuan, we need to expand our operations. There's an empty shop next to DongBo Inn. I want to turn it into a dessert shop," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Tan Yuan nodded. "I'll handle the paperwork. We'll make it the finest dessert shop in the city."

Their new life in the capital was vibrant and full of promise. Yang Mi oversaw the operations of their grain shop from behind the scenes, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. She was the brain behind their growing empire, though she had to keep her role hidden. In this era, women were expected to stay at home and manage household chores.

"Tan Qi, make sure the silk shop has the latest designs. We need to attract the elite clientele," Yang Mi instructed.

"Yes, my lady. I'll see to it," Tan Qi replied, already jotting down notes.

Despite their successes, they were unaware that Minister Gu's subordinates were watching their every move. The minister, ever suspicious, had his eyes on the new marquis and his household. He sought any weakness he could exploit.

Meanwhile, in the palace of Dayu Kingdom, Bai Jue was in turmoil. Da Yi was busy arranging the details for the crown princess selection ceremony, but Bai Jue's mind was elsewhere.

"Your Highness, you must attend the ceremony. It's important for the kingdom," Da Yi insisted.

Bai Jue sighed. "I know, Da Yi. But I have no interest in those women. The only one I care about is the girl from that night. I need to find her."

Da Yi looked concerned. "Your Highness, we've searched everywhere. Perhaps it's time to consider other options."

Bai Jue shook his head, his resolve firm. "No, Da Yi. She's out there somewhere. I can feel it. I won't stop until I find her."

As Da Yi left the room to continue his preparations, Bai Jue stared out of the window, his thoughts consumed by the mysterious girl who had stolen his heart and soul.

Back in the capital, the trio's ventures continued to flourish. The dessert shop next to DongBo Inn became an instant hit. "These pastries are divine!" exclaimed one customer. "I hear the marquis's sister oversees the recipes."

Yang Mi smiled to herself as she overheard the praise. Her hard work was paying off. She juggled multiple roles, ensuring every aspect of their businesses was thriving.

Tan Yuan was equally busy, making connections and managing the public face of their operations. "We need to keep our reputation spotless," he advised Yang Mi one evening. "Minister Gu is a formidable adversary, and we can't afford any mistakes."

Yang Mi agreed. "I've been cautious. But we need to be ready for anything. We must stay ahead of him."

Tan Qi, ever diligent, kept the household running smoothly and supported Yang Mi's plans. "Lady Yang Mi, I've arranged for the new silk designs to be showcased at the upcoming market fair," she reported.

"Excellent, Tan Qi. That will draw in more customers and increase our sales," Yang Mi replied, her mind already racing with new ideas.

Despite their success, the threat from Minister Gu loomed large. His subordinates continued to gather information, hoping to find a chink in their armor. One evening, as Yang Mi and Tan Yuan discussed their next move, Tan Qi burst into the room.

"My lady, I've received troubling news. Minister Gu's men are watching us closely. They're trying to find something to use against us."

Yang Mi's expression hardened. "We need to be more careful. Increase security around the mansion and our shops. We can't let them find anything."

Tan Yuan added, "We should also keep our business transactions discreet. Any sign of weakness and Minister Gu will pounce."

Yang Mi nodded. "Agreed. We must stay vigilant. We've come too far to let him destroy everything we've built."

As the weeks passed, the trio continued to navigate the complexities of their new life. They grew more adept at balancing their public personas with their hidden agendas. Yet, the specter of Minister Gu's scrutiny was never far from their minds.

One evening, as they sat together in the mansion's grand parlor, Tan Qi brought news that sent a chill through the room. "My lady, I've heard whispers that Minister Gu is planning something big. He's determined to find a way to bring us down."

Yang Mi's eyes narrowed. "Then we need to strike first. We can't wait for him to make the first move."

Tan Yuan leaned forward, his expression serious. "What do you propose?"

Yang Mi thought for a moment, then smiled. "We need to expose his corruption. We'll gather evidence and present it to the emperor. But we must do it carefully. We can't afford any mistakes."

Tan Qi nodded. "I'll start gathering information. We need to find people who are willing to speak out against him."

Yang Mi placed her hand on Tan Yuan's shoulder. "And you, Tan Yuan, continue building our network. We need allies in high places."

As the trio set their plan into motion, Yang Mi couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. They were on the brink of something great, and with her friends by her side, she knew they could overcome any obstacle.