Song Jiyun placed the chest in the Shachu next to her inner chamber.
Ever since she decided to live well in this identity, she had arranged a dressing room according to her habits from her previous life.
That Shachu was her dressing room.
She also instructed Zheng Quan, "If you have the chance during this trip, quietly hire a few highly skilled martial artists as guards. If they are women, that would be even better."
This incident made her realize that no amount of foreshadowing was ever too much.
Zheng Quan respectfully acknowledged her order.
Song Jiyun gave him a few more reminders about things to pay attention to during his journey before seeing him off.
Xiang Zan couldn’t help but worry, saying, "If Brother Quan isn’t here, what if Eldest Master sends people to bully us?"
"He won’t," Song Jiyun replied. "Father hasn’t even passed the seventh day of mourning yet. Those who once received his kindness are still thinking fondly of him. If Eldest Master openly breaks with us and is condemned for ‘bullying orphans and widows,’ it would ruin his reputation."
Xiang Zan nodded, somewhat confused, feeling that since Eldest Miss said it was fine, then it must be fine.
But she still felt uneasy and said, "Eldest Miss should also teach those gossiping old women a lesson."
"Oh?" Song Jiyun raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Xiang Zan whispered to Song Jiyun, "I heard them gossiping in private, saying that since Second Master is gone and Second Madam is weak, no one knows who will take charge of this household in the future. They said it’s best to make plans early and find their own ways out."
As she spoke, she was so angry she nearly cried. "That must be why Manager Lin dared to disobey Eldest Miss’s orders! And why no one has cleaned Master’s study since he passed away."
Song Jiyun remained calm.
All of this was within her expectations.
In her previous life, she had heard worse words and faced more humiliating situations.
"No rush," she said, patting Xiang Zan’s head. "I know all about it. After Father’s funeral, I will release a group of servants who once served him from the household."
Before then, it would be a good opportunity to see who was disloyal and who was lazy.
Xiang Zan nodded repeatedly.
Song Jiyun then instructed her, "Go to the Lifang and bring the Libo for me to look at."
She needed to know at all times who had come to pay their respects to her father so she could adapt to any situation.
Xiang Zan cheerfully ran off to the Lifang.
But Song Jiyun thought to herself that she had overestimated the servants of the Song household.
Some people were so foolish that nothing could stop them.
Otherwise, someone like Manager Lin wouldn’t have appeared.
Just in case, she should transfer a few sturdy women to serve closely in her mother and sister’s courtyard.
She leaned over the desk by the window in her inner chamber, readjusting the roster for the inner courtyard’s duty assignments.
A faint rustling sound came from the chest.
If the Shachu hadn’t been so quiet that a pin drop could be heard, and if she hadn’t been listening carefully for any movement from the chest, it would have almost gone unnoticed.
Song Jiyun frowned.
She knew the effects of the drug she had administered better than anyone. Logically, the Strange Man shouldn’t have woken up this soon.
He had woken up early.
Was it because his martial arts were exceptionally advanced?
Song Jiyun had a bad feeling.
She pretended not to hear, deciding to leave him alone for a while.
When people were bound and confined in darkness, not knowing how they would be dealt with, they often let their imaginations run wild and even frightened themselves.
If she could frighten him, that would be best. If not, it would at least allow her to gauge his resolve and determine how to deal with him.
Song Jiyun continued to lower her head, arranging the roster for the inner courtyard's duty shifts.
When Xiang Zan returned from Lifang, Song Jiyun handed her the duty list to give to the matron in charge of the inner courtyard. After drinking a cup of tea to soothe her throat, she quietly approached the chest and opened it with a sharp "snap."
A pair of dark, clear eyes met her gaze.
Song Jiyun looked closely and saw the strange man gazing at her calmly, his expression serene and his eyes bright.
Being left alone for so long seemed to have had no effect on him.
He remained composed, appearing even more rational, calm, and collected than he had in the study earlier.
Song Jiyun's heart skipped a beat.
The worst outcome had arrived.
Though inwardly unsettled, she showed no sign of it on her face.
"Young Master, you're awake!" she said with composure. "Shall we have a 'quiet' talk now?"
A glint flashed in the man's eyes, like obsidian cutting through a dark sky, and he stared at her motionlessly.
Having schemed against someone, it was only natural for them to be displeased.
Song Jiyun said, "If Young Master remains silent, I'll take it as your agreement." With that, she removed the cloth from his mouth.
Perhaps because his mouth had been blocked for too long, the man took several deep breaths.
"Inviting you here in this manner was my fault," Song Jiyun said apologetically. "However, I had no other choice. I hope you can forgive me."
The man sneered and replied, "If I were you, I would release the person!"
"Resolving grievances is better than creating them. Who would want to offend someone needlessly?" Song Jiyun said innocently. "Young Master and I are strangers. Until my affairs are settled, how could I risk letting you leave?"
The man pressed his lips together and lowered his gaze.
His eyelashes were long and dark, not curled but distinct, like a row of small trees.
Song Jiyun smiled slightly and said, "I merely wish to keep you here for a few more days! I wonder if Young Master has any taboos? I'd like to give instructions to ensure no one treats you disrespectfully."
The man opened his eyes, glancing at her from the corner of his eye, and said indifferently, "Are you certain you can keep me here?"
His tone was straightforward, carrying a subtle yet powerful confidence, as if stating a fact rather than questioning her.
Song Jiyun was momentarily taken aback.
Such an aura was definitely not that of an ordinary person!
Given his current predicament, what gave him such strong confidence?
Her mind raced, but she replied, "How can we know the outcome without trying?"
Would his companions come to rescue him?
Or would his disappearance cause such a stir that it would inevitably lead back to her?
If she were truly an ordinary girl raised in seclusion, she might not have considered this. But who could blame her? She had memories of two lifetimes, and her previous life had been "well-traveled."
The man closed his eyes again, appearing to rest and unwilling to speak further with her.
Was he so certain she could do nothing to him?
Song Jiyun smiled gently and said softly, "Young Master, why don't we make a bet?"
She lowered her voice, making it soft and sweet, like a seductive enchantress luring someone into a trap.
"If I win the bet, you agree to stay here peacefully and follow my arrangements. If I lose…"
She drew out the last word.
The man abruptly opened his eyes.
Song Jiyun's voice grew even more enticing: "I'll leave myself at your mercy, Young Master. What do you think?"
The man curled his lips slightly, looking her up and down as if mocking her for overestimating herself.