Palace Coup 8

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There was no pressing need to chase after and demand an explanation. Her face was covered in dust, and after riding horseback for those dozens of miles, she had nearly bitten through her teeth to endure the pain without a sound.

The spot on her shoulder where the guards had gripped earlier now seemed swollen, the friction against her clothing causing sharp pain.

She led the way in silence. The village’s dirt road was relatively smooth. Every time she passed a house, she would hear hurried footsteps, followed by doors closing either forcefully or quietly.

The countryside grew dark quickly. Just moments ago, the setting sun had cast a golden glow, but now it was pitch black, so dark that one could not see their hand in front of their face.

Xie Yuanju’s eyes were clear and bright, piercing even in the darkness. As soon as she dismounted, he noticed her uneven steps and cautioned, “It’s late now. Perhaps you, Lady, should rest here tonight. We can continue the investigation tomorrow.”

“Alright…” she replied hesitantly.

As they walked further, the once noisy village seemed to have been silenced. All the courtyards and houses were quiet, save for the croaking of frogs and chirping of birds.

They stopped in front of a three-courtyard house with blue bricks and black tiles.

Only then did a man dressed in blue silk approach, bowing low and trying to get close to her face. Xie Yuanju pulled him back sharply. “No disrespect! This is the Lady.”

“Greetings, Lady,” the man said, bowing repeatedly, rubbing his hands nervously. “In this countryside, we rarely see nobility. I was momentarily dazzled. If anyone in the manor was rude to you, please do not take it to heart. We villagers toil daily, facing the harsh earth. Surely, your radiant presence must have startled some to act improperly.”

She responded coldly, “It’s no matter.”

“You truly are the jewel of the Master’s household—magnanimous and dignified. You surpass even the Emperor’s favored concubine He in beauty and humility!”

Xie Miaoxuan’s face darkened at his rambling, but then she smiled—a smile as cold as ice. “Are you the steward?”

“Yes, I am Cao, but everyone calls me Steward Cao.”

Cao looked at her fine silk robes and the headpiece adorned with countless pearls, still shimmering faintly despite the night’s gloom. He felt a surge of warmth in his chest. Glancing at the dozen or so strong guards behind her, he lowered his voice, “Lady, have you come to the capital alone with your guards? Is the Master well?”

Xie Miaoxuan ignored his words and ordered firmly, “I am tired now. Quickly prepare this courtyard for me and my guards, and bring some food and hot water.”

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She was about to push open the courtyard gate.

“Oh, Lady, this house hasn’t been lived in for a long time. It’s thick with dust inside. If you don’t mind, I can find a cleaner place for you.”

How curious—a manor owner unable to enter their own house. This steward was indeed a curious character.

“Impudent!” Da Niu, scowling, stepped forward and kicked Steward Cao aside. “The main house is always kept ready for the family’s use. As steward, you should clean it regularly. How dare you say our Lady cannot stay here!”

He had long disliked Steward Cao—his face caked in powder despite his age, which made him look ridiculous. His words, though seemingly respectful, were grating to the ear.

His Lady’s word was law in Nanhai County. Even the magistrate’s wife would treat her politely.

“You old man, I think you’re just tired of living,” Da Niu said, hoisting Steward Cao up with one hand.

“My lord, you misunderstand. I never meant that. I just meant the place is dirty and I wouldn’t want to soil the noble Lady’s eyes. It’s not laziness. Since the Master bought this manor six years ago, he’s never come once. In the beginning, I cleaned every day, but this courtyard is so large that it takes a whole day each time. I have land to tend and children to support, so gradually I stopped.”

“Moreover, Lady’s arrival was sudden, with no prior notice. If I’d known, I would have cleaned up properly.”

“Da Niu, come back,” Xie Yuanju commanded.

Da Niu obeyed reluctantly, leaving Steward Cao behind, though he still snorted angrily.

Xie Miaoxuan noticed that though he was rough, he was obedient enough. She looked at Steward Cao, who claimed to tend fields daily yet wore silk worth five taels of silver per yard. She said, “I never knew I had to notify you when I returned to my own manor!”

“Lady, truly you do not know. There are several large manors around the outskirts of the capital, and we stewards know each other well. When nobility come to stay briefly, we usually give prior notice to prepare.”

That sounded more like a threat. Steward Cao spoke nothing but nonsense. Xie Miaoxuan found no reason to humored him.

“Enough. We’ll stay here tonight,” she decided.

Even Da Niu had sensed something off about this steward. How could she not?

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Earlier on the road, Xie Yuanju had told her that because he had sensed something amiss when he brought the jade pendant to the manor, to avoid being trapped, he sent trusted men with great wealth into the mountains first. After securing them, he came to find her, hence the delay.

Now, with only about ten guards including Xie Yuanju, if the manor was truly dangerous, there would be at least a hundred able-bodied men inside, and two fists cannot fight four hands. It was safest to hold position until they understood the situation.

Even dealing with the steward would have to wait until daylight.

She would also learn why the villagers treated them as if they were venomous snakes.

Xie Yuanju’s thoughts mirrored hers. Being meticulous, he had noticed her grim expression as they rode swiftly to the manor. She had been holding back her pain in silence. Their relationship was only just warming, and he dared not dissuade her, fearing to bruise her pride and provoke anger.

Now he spoke timely, “Rest first. We’ll deal with this tomorrow. I’ll prepare a room for you, Lady. You all make yourselves comfortable.”

Then he stepped forward, extended his arm, and whispered near her ear, “Hold onto me.”

He had been watching her closely. Though she stood upright, her calf muscles were trembling, her face shifting from pale to a bluish tint.

Xie Miaoxuan felt like an empress in a Qing dynasty palace being supported into the courtyard. Suddenly, she glanced back at Steward Cao.

Cao tugged Da Niu’s collar and showed no fear. His respectful demeanor vanished, replaced by a sneer of contempt. When she met his cold gaze, he said indifferently, “If the Lady insists on staying, so be it. I’ll send food and water shortly.”

Then he walked away leisurely. Da Niu hurried after him, wary that Cao might tamper with the food, insisting on watching closely.

Cao paid no mind to anyone tailing him. In his heart, he mulled over the situation carefully and concluded the Lady had most likely run away from home.