The Bad Girl's Quick Transmigration System: Traveling Back and Forth

The night was as dark as ink, swallowing the vast Zheng family manor. The three women, carrying musical instruments, walked lightly through the winding courtyards and corridors, their heads bowed. Moonlight filtered through the sparse foliage, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone path, mirroring their restless emotions. Every detail, every word spoken in the main cabin replayed rapidly in their minds, analyzed, and distilled.

Leading the way was Bai Jie, the most meticulous and responsible for overall planning and decision-making. In the middle was Lin Xiaoyan, flexible and skilled in disguise and infiltration, the main executor of the operation. Last was Lin Xue, not only a master of the piano but also possessing a photographic memory and an acute sensitivity to subtle sounds. These three were the "Shadows," carefully cultivated by their eldest sister, Lin Ping, lurking in the heart of the Zheng family, waiting for the perfect opportunity to uproot this malignant tumor.

“He mentioned ‘an upcoming big event,’ and based on our previous observations, it’s most likely related to that batch of ‘special goods.’” Bai Jie’s voice was extremely low, only the two people beside her could hear it. They walked seemingly casually, but in reality, every step was precisely calculated to avoid any potential eyes and ears.

Lin Xue nodded slightly and added, "The atmosphere in the main cabin is much more tense than usual. Although Zheng Hongye is trying to calm his breathing, I can hear the anxiety in his heart. Moreover, he is tapping the table slightly with his left index finger, the frequency of which is similar to the 'urging' signal in the coded message we intercepted earlier."

Lin Xiaoyan added, "When I was presenting the gift just now, I glimpsed a faint light coming through the crack in Zheng Hongye's study door, and I could vaguely hear the sound of papers turning. He will most likely be handling important matters in his study tonight."

The three exchanged a glance; without a word, their plan had already quietly taken shape in their minds. Their residence was a secluded courtyard "bestowed" upon them by Zheng Hongye, named "Jingya Residence," ostensibly to facilitate their practice in peace, but in reality, it was also a convenient place for surveillance.

Back in the courtyard, after confirming that no one was around, the three immediately got into position. Bai Jie carefully set down the instrument and pulled out a roll of extremely thin parchment and a specially made charcoal pencil from the bridge. This was one of their tools for transmitting information; the bridge had been specially modified to accommodate these small items.

"Lin Xue, first, recount all the words and actions of Zheng Hongye and his core subordinates in the main cabin today, including their micro-expressions and small movements," Bai Jie commanded, her tone calm and decisive.

Lin Xue closed her eyes, focused intently on recalling, and after a moment opened them, beginning to recount the events at a steady pace. From every glance from Zheng Hongye to the unintentional frown of one of his confidants, she described everything with perfect accuracy. Her memory was like the most sophisticated recording device, providing invaluable raw material for subsequent analysis.

Lin Xiaoyan walked to the window and, by the moonlight, carefully examined the few "litter" items she had "accidentally" left in the corner of the courtyard during the day—a trampled leaf, a loose brick—these were the makeshift warning devices they had set up. Only after confirming that there were no signs of disturbance did she feel relieved.

As Bai Jie listened to Lin Xue's retelling, she quickly sketched and wrote on the parchment. She used an extremely complex code, combining musical notation, the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, and her own created diagrams, which only Lin Ping and the other two could fully decipher.

"‘Music and dance are appropriate for the occasion,’ Zheng Hongye’s words are worth pondering. What does ‘appropriate for the occasion’ refer to? Does it simply refer to the atmosphere of the banquet, or does it coincide with a certain point in their actions?" Su Mei frowned slightly. “Lin Xue, have you noticed the ‘Spring River Awaits Ferry’ painting hanging in the main cabin? The position of the scroll seems to have shifted slightly compared to yesterday.”

Lin Xue thought for a moment and said with certainty, "Yes, I noticed it too. There was originally an ink stain in the lower left corner of the scroll, but today it is partially covered up."

"Lin Xiaoyan, your mission has arrived." Bai Jie looked at Lin Xiaoyan. "Tonight at midnight, go to Zheng Hongye's study to investigate. Pay special attention to the painting 'Waiting for Ferry on the Spring River.' I suspect there might be a hidden compartment or mechanism behind it. Also, try to find documents related to the 'special goods,' especially the pick-up time, location, and handover code."

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Xiaoyan's eyes, and she nodded: "Don't worry, I'll be careful."

"Lin Xue, you'll be in charge of providing support from the outside. Use your superior hearing to monitor the surrounding area. I'll stay inside to organize the existing intelligence and prepare for the support and follow-up response." Bai Jie quickly assigned the tasks. "Remember, safety first. If anything unexpected happens, evacuate immediately. Do not linger in battle. Our lives are more important than temporary intelligence, because we still bear the entrustment of our eldest sister and the hopes of the entire army."

"Understood!" Lin Xiaoyan and Lin Xue replied in unison.

As night deepened and all was quiet, Lin Xiaoyan, as stealthy as a cat, leaped over the courtyard wall. Dressed in black, her face covered with a cloth, only her bright, wary eyes were visible. Using her familiarity with the manor's layout and years of stealth experience, she moved like a shadow, evading the patrolling guards, and crept towards the inner courtyard where Zheng Hongye resided.

Zheng Hongye's study was located deep within the inner courtyard, in a separate small building with relatively heavy security. Lin Xiaoyan lay in the shadows, observing the two guards standing watch at the study's entrance. They were alert and sharp-eyed, clearly Zheng Hongye's trusted confidants. Forcing their way in was obviously out of the question.

Lin Xiaoyan glanced around and noticed a small window on the side of the study, its windowsill covered in vines. She took a deep breath, clung to the wall like a gecko, and, using the vines as cover, slowly climbed upwards. Her movements were as light as a feather, without making a sound.

She went to the window and listened intently; sure enough, she could hear muffled voices inside. She gently pried open the window latch with a special thin piece of glass, creating a crack, and peered inside.

Zheng Hongye was standing with his back to the window in front of his desk, talking to a tall, brooding middle-aged man. A map was spread out on the desk, and several documents were scattered around it.

"...The ship is ready and is moored at the secret dock at Eagle's Beak Cliff. It will set sail as soon as the storm passes." The sinister man's voice was low and hoarse.

Zheng Hongye nodded and pointed to the map: "Eagle Beak Cliff has a strategic location, easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it a good place. However, Lin Ping's army has been active along the coast recently. Could there be any unforeseen circumstances?"

"Hmph, just a woman, nothing to fear." The sinister man said disdainfully, "We have the 'Black Shark' guards, and those rabble are no match for us. Besides, we have 'that thing,' which is enough to ensure they never return."

“‘That thing’…” A complex light flashed in Zheng Hongye’s eyes, a mixture of anticipation and barely perceptible apprehension. “We must ensure that everything goes perfectly. This shipment is related to the foundation of our Zheng family for the next ten years, and even… a bigger scheme.”

"Rest assured, Master, everything is going according to plan. The day after tomorrow, at midnight, on the night of the full moon, when the tide is at its highest, will be the best time for us to act," the sinister man assured him.

Lin Xiaoyan's heart skipped a beat. The day after tomorrow, at midnight! Eagle Beak Cliff! Black Shark! And that mysterious "thing"! These pieces of information exploded in her mind like thunderclaps. She knew this was the crucial intelligence they had been desperately searching for!

She dared not linger. Taking advantage of the moment when the two leaned over to examine the map, she quickly used her miniature camera (a cutting-edge device that Lin Ping had secretly sent over) to take several pictures of the map and documents on the table. She used a special device to shield the flash, so it did not emit any light.

Just as she was about to leave, she caught a glimpse of the painting "Waiting for the Ferry on the Spring River" on the wall out of the corner of her eye. Remembering Bai Jie's instructions, she carefully searched the edges of the scroll.