Court Coup 10

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Now was not the time to reveal the turmoil to come; first, she would use inquiries into the Xie clan as an entry point, gradually disclosing more. She needed to prepare in advance. Once the emperor suddenly died, unrest would break out in the capital even before the military governors began inviting wolves into the fold. People would panic, and food prices would skyrocket.

She had to anticipate the situation early.

By gathering enough information and carefully unraveling the threads, she could predict the exact timing.

In the days ahead, she needed to quickly arrange priorities.

Xie Yuanju furrowed his brow. Her instructions made sense, but the immediate reality was clear: "This estate is not safe now. How can we leave a young lady here alone?"

The steward Cao was clearly suspicious, a cunning man. How could he simply leave her here unattended? The family head had treated him generously; if not for the family head's rescue, he might have died at thirteen.

He had a duty to protect Xie Miaoxuan and was already preparing to investigate this steward.

A faint smile curved Xie Miaoxuan’s lips, the dimple barely visible. "No need to worry. We’ll handle it from both ends. Leave Daniu and the other retainers with me; you take men to the capital to gather news. I will stay and manage the estate. Don’t treat me like a fragile glass ornament, needing constant care. This is no longer the past—I must stand on my own. I hope you understand."

Xie Yuanju looked at her deeply.

After a moment, she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, remember to inquire at the government office about the procedures for establishing an independent household registration for a woman. Don’t be stingy with the money it costs. You can avoid trouble for a time, but not forever. To truly break free from the Xie clan, you must first have an independent registered household."

Unmarried women were considered family property, without independent assets. She wanted to separate her registration before the main Xie branch or the clan came looking.

The matters were complicated and countless, entangled like threads needing careful unraveling. She could not be a noble lady who ignored the world, lamenting only the passing seasons.

To survive in this cruel world, every day now was invaluable.

If she couldn’t handle even a minor steward, constantly needing Xie Yuanju to intervene, how could she hope to stand firm when chaos arrived?

She refused to live relying on a man, serving only as a delicate plaything.

Xie Yuanju did not oppose her despite her assertiveness. Silently, he assigned over ten retainers to guard near the estate and brought her some easily tamable pastries. Then he swiftly rode off with his men toward the capital.

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After he left, she returned inside and brought out the bowl of thin porridge again. Soon after, Daniu hurried back with steward Cao, and Xie Miaoxuan immediately brightened.

From a distance came Cao’s shouting, “What are you doing? Damn it, let me go!”

Xie Miaoxuan sat on the railing of the porch, looking down at Cao, who was crying and begging, “Please, lady, intervene! This man barged into the house without cause and tried to take me away. I’ve been steward for over twenty years and never been treated like this. We all live under your roof—how can you treat me like I’m beneath you?”

“Heh,” Daniu growled, furious. “You old fool are unreasonable. I waited at your door for half an hour, shouting until my throat was raw, but you refused to come out. I didn’t even lay a hand on you, and you complain?”

“Lady, listen to him—he even wants to hit me! Besides, I never heard anyone call me. My son is home and can vouch for me. I think you’re just trying to use this as an excuse to punish me.”

“Of course your son would defend you.”

“Why don’t you dare ask the neighbors if anyone heard anything?”

“Why would I not dare?”

“Then go. If no one vouches for you, what will you do?”

“I—” Daniu held his breath, about to make some vow.

Seeing how easily Cao was pulling Daniu’s strings, Xie Miaoxuan finally spoke slowly, “Do you think this is a stage for playing drama, steward Cao?”

The cold, clear voice struck Daniu like a bucket of cold water. He snapped back to his senses, tasting the situation. He had studied with Xie Yuanju for a few years; this was a trap.

The old steward must have prepared in advance. If today Daniu was dragged outside for testimony before everyone, nobody from the estate would back him up, and that would disgrace the lady.

So this was his way of intimidating my lady through me!

Xie Miaoxuan beckoned Daniu over. He clenched his fists but said nothing and obediently stood behind her.

Cao was surprised. He had expected this big fellow to explode on the spot. If he could prove Daniu was stupid and easily fooled before everyone, that would tarnish the reputation of the lady’s retainer, however small. It would also warn the unruly peasants that no matter how many masters the estate had, Cao alone was in charge.

He never thought a single word from the lady would silence Daniu.

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He bowed repeatedly. “Lady, your wisdom is clear. I don’t know what you mean by playing drama. I am wronged.”

Xie Miaoxuan smiled. “Oh? If you don’t know, then tell me—what is this? Do you recognize it?”

She picked up the thin porridge that had been sitting on the railing and, her expression darkening, smashed it in front of Cao. The bowl shattered with a crack, soup splashing everywhere.

Her once warm expression was now as cold as winter.

Intimidated by her authority, Cao stammered, “Isn’t this porridge?”

“Do you have the nerve to call this watery soup with a few grains of rice porridge? This estate has 27,000 acres of fertile land, over a hundred households, and more than four hundred farmers. And you dare serve me this?”

Cao’s eyes darted wildly. He collapsed to his knees and wailed.

“Lady, you don’t understand. The harvests have been poor these years. Even my household eats this every day. Please sympathize with the farmers’ hardships.”

“At worst, I’ll go home and slaughter the piglets reserved for New Year’s for you. But even so, after a few days, I won’t be able to provide anything better. All the income has been handed over. I am a man of misfortune.”

Then he cried bitterly, tears streaming.

Xie Miaoxuan propped her chin on her hand, listening with interest, nodding occasionally, her expression and gestures fitting perfectly, as if setting a stage.

This steward was a stubborn old fox; to catch him, one must dirty one’s hands.

She curled her lips. Tender care with a sharp edge—she could do that too. First, she would vent some of Daniu’s anger.