"Top-level emergency signal!"
Wang Bo's voice was like a huge rock dropped onto a calm lake, and the ripples it stirred up instantly swept across this small space in the backyard of the Splendid Pavilion. The chill that Shen Ruoxin had just felt from the magistrate's office had not yet completely dissipated when she was suddenly jolted in her heart by this alarm.
"Fengqiao Town?" Has something happened to Ah Xing? Her expression changed suddenly. She quickly met Uncle Wang, her voice urgent but trying hard to stay calm. "Where's the news?" How did it come about? What exactly is the situation?
Uncle Wang's face was filled with anxiety. He carefully took out a small item wrapped tightly in oil paper from his arms and handed it to Shen Ruoxin, saying, "Second Miss, it was brought over by the fastest boat from Uncle Sun's side. They only said that Ah Xing's side used the highest warning we agreed on before - not flower language, but this one!"
Shen Ruoxin took the oiled paper package and quickly opened it. What was exposed inside was not the letter or cloth she had expected, but a little bird hastily woven from a few rough willow twigs. The bird's body was crooked, but at its beak, a small, extremely conspicuous, almost black, deep purple silk thread was tightly wound three times, tying an unprecedentedly complex knot!
Black! Although not pure black, this almost desperate deep purple and that never-seen knot have conveyed a message that transcends words! This is by no means limited to the scope that a "red" warning can cover!
Shen Ruoxin's heart sank to the bottom. She had made an agreement with A Xing that if there was extreme danger and she couldn't save herself, she would give up all regular contacts and try to convey a unique and never-shown signal, which meant the situation was extremely critical and might even... It's the final message.
This crooked willow bird, this ominous deep purple knot... It was precisely the distress signal they had privately agreed upon, representing the highest level - "Black"!
"Prepare the ship immediately!" Shen Ruoxin's voice trembled slightly with extreme anxiety, but her eyes instantly became as sharp as ice. "Uncle Wang, you personally take our most capable assistants and rush to Fengqiao Town at the fastest speed!" Find Old Man Sun and ask him clearly what exactly happened! In any case, we must find a way to support Ah Xing!
"Yes!" "Old slave, I'm going right now!" Uncle Wang did not dare to be negligent and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Shen Ruoxin called him back and forced herself to calm down, "Take enough people and equipment with you just in case." Tell the guys that this trip is dangerous. If you can bring back A Xing safely, the reward will be doubled! But remember, do not act rashly. Everything should come first to protect yourself and Ah Xing!
She then looked at Li Molan beside her and said, "Sister Molan, bring some of the spare medicine and detoxification pills in the warehouse for Uncle Wang." Also, keep an eye out for the smarter embroiderers in the backyard. If any stranger prays into Ah Xing or Fengqiao Town, report it to me immediately!
"Miss Second, rest assured!" Li Molan also realized the seriousness of the situation and immediately responded.
Wang Bo received the order and left in a hurry. However, the atmosphere in the study did not ease as a result; instead, it became even more solemn.
Shen Ruoxin held the rough willow bird in her hands, her fingertips icy cold. What exactly did Ah Xing encounter in Fengqiao Town? Was it the exposure of identity that led to being caught? Or was it by accident that some earth-shattering secret was exposed, leading to a fatal disaster? Could that gang of villains who injured Ah Xiang and seized the silk thread also be related to the abnormal movement in Fengqiao Town?
For a moment, countless questions and concerns welled up in my heart like a tide. She hated her own powerlessness and hated that she had pushed a loyal maidservant into such a dangerous situation.
This black alert was like a heavy hammer, hitting Shen Ruoxin's heart hard and waking her up.
Her previous thoughts were still too naive! It is far from enough to merely establish a preliminary intelligence point! The transmission, screening, classification and response of information... A rigorous and effective mechanism must be established for every link! Otherwise, just like now, when a top-level alarm comes, apart from being anxious and sending reinforcements, she is rather at a loss, unable to accurately assess the nature and extent of the danger, let alone respond precisely!
No! Change must be made immediately!
She suddenly stood up and walked to the cabinet where various kinds of silk threads were usually stored. Her eyes quickly swept over those colorful silk threads.
"Sister Mo LAN," she turned around, her eyes shining with a kind of almost obsessive calm light, "From today on, we must establish a clear hierarchical system for all information we convey and handle!"
Li Molan was slightly taken aback. Looking at the unusual sparkle in the second young lady's eyes, she didn't interrupt and listened quietly.
Shen Ruoxin took out three rolls of thread from the cabinet, each with a completely different color and texture.
The first roll is ordinary ochre-yellow cotton thread, with a soft color. It is often used by embroiderers for practice or doing some rough work.
"This kind," she picked up the ochre thread, her voice steady, "represents the 'yellow' message." It refers to regular market dynamics, unconfirmed rumors, and news that requires continuous attention but has no immediate risks. For instance, what people often hear in Fengqiao Town about Zhang Ji's price reduction and casual conversations among merchants. When receiving such information, record it on file and keep observing. There is no need to overreact.
She put down the yellow thread and picked up a roll of bright red silk thread with smooth texture.
"This kind," her tone intensified a little, "represents the 'red' message." It refers to the confirmed events that pose a direct threat or significant impact on our Brocade Pavilion. For instance, this time when Ah Xiang was attacked in Shengze, the clear commercial suppression, the discovery of the specific action plans of the opponent, or our personnel safety is directly threatened but has not yet reached a critical juncture of life and death. Upon receiving a "red" message, it must be reported immediately. Core personnel need to discuss countermeasures at the first moment and take prompt action!
Finally, what she picked up was a roll of hemp thread that was as black as ink but somewhat rough in texture. This thread was out of place with the shiny and lustrous silk usually used in the Splendid Pavilion, exuding an ominous air.
"And this," Shen Ruoxin's voice was lowered extremely low, carrying a hint of coldness, "represents the 'black' message." This is the highest level, meaning life and death! For instance, the identities of core personnel are exposed, they are fatally pursued, major conspiracies capable of subverting the entire situation are discovered, or things like... Just like the message that A Xing passed back this time! Upon receiving the "black" message, all regular affairs should be immediately halted! Protecting the lives of core personnel is the top priority! All resources should be prioritized for dealing with "black" incidents! When necessary... One can give up some industries, or even... "Survive by cutting off the tail!"
She placed three rolls of thread side by side on the table. The yellow one was gentle, the red one was eye-catching, and the black one was heavy.
From now on, all messages passed back from the outside should be marked with corresponding lines. Yellow is wrapped around a letter or object with a single strand of ochre cotton thread. Red is made by tying a loose knot with two strands of red silk thread. For black, use three strands of black jute thread and tie them tightly!
When handling this information internally, it is also necessary to strictly follow this classification. Yellow information is recorded and archived by designated personnel and summarized daily. The red message must be immediately reported to me, Uncle Wang, Sister Mo LAN and the other core personnel. Black information... Once it appears, all core personnel, no matter where they are, must immediately put aside all their affairs and handle them with the highest priority!
Li Molan looked at the three-color lines on the table and listened to Shen Ruoxin's clear and decisive arrangement, feeling extremely shocked. She never imagined that these silk threads, which were usually used to embroider splendid flowers, would one day be endowed with such a heavy and dangerous meaning. But she also understood that the second young lady's action was building a life-and-death firewall for this precarious Jinxiu Pavilion!
"Second Miss has thought it through thoroughly. Mo LAN understands." She nodded solemnly. "I'll write down this method immediately and find a way to inform Old Man Sun at Fengqiao in the most reliable manner, asking him to pass it on to A Xing..." If... If she can still receive it. At the last sentence, her voice also carried a hint of worry.
Shen Ruoxin closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she had regained her usual composure: "Not only should we tell A Xing that among the new apprentices we have recruited, several of them have good observation and memory skills. When the time is ripe, we should also gradually let them get in touch with this system." Our "eyes" and "ears" cannot rely solely on Ah Xing.
She thought of Shi, who was taciturn but had astonishing imitative ability and memory. Perhaps, this child will be able to undertake more important roles in the future.
Just then, the voice of the cleaning woman that A Xing had brought in earlier came from outside the door, carrying a hint of hesitation and unease: "Two..." Second Miss...
What's up? Shen Ruoxin asked.
Just now... Just now the doorman in the front yard passed in a message, saying... The constables from the magistrate's office have come again... The old woman's voice trembled a little. "Yes..." Mr. Li, please... Go again. There are... Have something to ask...
Has someone come to the magistrate's office again? At this critical juncture?
Shen Ruoxin's heart sank suddenly. It is a blessing, not a curse. If it is a curse, it cannot be avoided. Was it because there was a new development in the case reported by Ah Xiang that the Twitter official Li suddenly approached her again? Or... Because of something else she doesn't know? This timing is just too coincidental!