Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Xie Wuyuan and Liu Mingyue moved into the main courtyard, which had been my parents' residence during their lifetime. The servants of Noble House were quick and efficient; within half a day, they had cleaned the place thoroughly. All the belongings of the Falling Star Escort Agency were packed up and tossed out, piled in a corner of the yard.
New furniture and decorations flowed in like a stream. I took Uncle Lin and a few remaining brothers from Biao Ju to the back courtyard, where we settled into a few small rooms near the stables. The space was cramped and carried a lingering smell of horse manure.
Uncle Lin was so furious that he went several days without eating, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. He attempted to storm into the front courtyard several times to confront them, but I stopped him each time.
"Uncle Lin! Don't be impulsive! This isn't the time for recklessness!"
"Chief Escort! I can't swallow this anger! Why should Xie Wuyuan treat us like this? If it weren't for you back then..."
"I know!" I interrupted him, my voice weary. "But now he is the heir of Noble House, and we are commoners! If we clash head-on, we will only suffer—Biao Ju will suffer!"
Uncle Lin slammed his fist against the wall, tears glistening in his eyes. The atmosphere in Biao Ju grew increasingly heavy. Once filled with laughter and conversation, now everyone kept their heads down while working, avoiding any interaction with those from Noble House in the front courtyard.
Xie Wuyuan must have sensed this shift. He sent over a considerable amount of rewards and fabric, claiming it was compensation for the brothers of Biao Ju. But no one went to accept it; those items remained piled in the center of the yard.
Most of his time was spent receiving advisors and generals who rushed in from the capital. He had become a true figure of authority—decisive and commanding without needing to raise his voice.
Occasionally, when we crossed paths in the courtyard, he would glance at me with a complex expression but ultimately said nothing. In contrast, Liu Mingyue seemed particularly "attentive" towards me.
Her maid would appear in the back courtyard every few days. Sometimes she brought exquisite pastries that "Miss Liu didn't eat," other times it was fine fabrics that "Miss Liu couldn't wear." It was all labeled as "gifts," but in reality, it was just a way to remind me of my lowly status.
I refused all of it, insisting they take everything back as it was. The maids likely embellished their reports to Liu Mingyue about me. Her gaze towards me grew colder with each passing day.
One day while I was practicing with my sword in the courtyard, Liu Mingyue approached with two maids in tow.
"Miss Su is truly diligent," she remarked, standing on the corridor while playing with a riding whip in her hand.
"Miss Liu," I replied, sheathing my sword and bowing respectfully.
"Is it true that Miss Su's mother was the renowned female hero 'Hong Ying' from the martial world?" she asked casually.
A warning bell rang in my mind. Very few people knew about my mother's past, aside from the elders of the Biao Ju. How could a noble lady from the capital know about it?
I maintained my composure. "Miss Liu is quite well-informed."
Liu Mingyue smiled and stepped down the stairs gracefully. "My father has some connections in the martial world and has mentioned the legendary skills of 'Hong Ying' before, particularly her extraordinary swordsmanship." She weighed the riding whip in her hand. "Speaking of which, I have learned a bit of whip technique myself and have been looking for an opportunity to test it out. Would Miss Su be willing to offer some guidance?"
Her words were polite, but the challenge in her eyes was unmistakable.
She wanted to gauge my abilities and publicly embarrass me, hoping I would back down.
I glanced at her and then at Xie Wuyuan not far away. He was present too, and he seemed to approve.
The last flicker of hope I had for "A Ying" was completely extinguished.
"Since Miss Liu has such an interest," I tightened my grip on my knife, "Su Yan will gladly oblige."
Comment 0 Comment Count