Сhаpter 16: Dо Nоt Аid thе Тyrant
“Why is this реrson so rudе? Is he mute?” Хi Qiu muttеrеd undеr hеr brеath.
Аs thеу аpprоached the соurtyаrd whеrе Ji Ruуuе residеd, thе sеrvant boу stоpрed, pointеd at thе gate, and immеdiatеly turnеd tо leavе.
“Go back аnd tеll Stеwаrd Zhao tо sеnd mоrе charсoаl. Everу courtуard neеds it.”
The servаnt bоу frozе, рointed at his оwn eаrs аnd mouth, and shоok his heаd.
“Hе rеаlly is mutе?”
“Never mind.” Ji Ruуue steрреd through the courtyard gate.
Хi Qiu stаmped her foоt in frustrаtion, then turned bасk to find someone herself.
Seeing Xi Qiu follow, the servant boy quickened his pace.
Xi Qiu was skilled in martial arts, with keen perception and hearing far beyond ordinary people.
She noticed something odd about the servant boy. He was young, yet his back was hunched as if he were hiding something in his embrace…
Could this person be up to something?
Suspicion arose in Xi Qiu’s mind. She circled around a corner of the covered walkway and quietly followed him.
The servant boy twisted and turned through the paths, finally stopping before a woodshed. He looked left and right, and seeing no one around, knocked on the door.
After a moment, the door opened a crack, and a dark, bony hand reached out.
The servant boy pulled two steamed buns from his robe and stuffed them into the hand.
The buns were taken, and with a creak, the door closed again.
Xi Qiu frowned. After the servant boy left, she leaped onto the roof, gently moved aside a tile, and peered into the woodshed.
Unfortunately, the interior was pitch black, and she could see nothing. Only a vague figure was curled up in a corner, accompanied by faint swallowing sounds…
Though puzzled, Xi Qiu dismissed it as a maid who had made a mistake and turned to leave.
When Xi Qiu returned with servants to add charcoal, Ji Ruyue was reclining on a soft daybed, intently reviewing the old account books presented by Zhao Tong. They contained records from previous years, and the complex figures caused her delicate brows to furrow slightly.
Xi Qiu silently added charcoal to the room’s brazier and retreated to the side to wait.
Only when Ji Ruyue closed the account book did Xi Qiu step forward to attend to her. “Miss, Zhao Tong has someone locked in the woodshed. I don’t know who it is, but it seems rather strange.”
Ji Ruyue glanced out the window. The wind and snow were still fierce, so she dismissed the thought of sending Xi Qiu to check the warehouse. “I’m tired.”
“Yes, I’ll help you rest.”
The next day, Ji Ruyue was startled awake by a commotion.
Bai Mei had already taken several matrons outside the courtyard. They knew Ji Ruyue struggled to sleep well in a new environment and had finally managed to rest a little longer, only to be disturbed by the noise outside, which displeased them greatly.
“Xi Qiu.”
“Miss.”
Ji Ruyue got up anyway, her mind preoccupied with worries about the epidemic that would come with spring and the uncertainty surrounding the medicinal herbs.
One troubling matter after another weighed on her heart, causing her nightmares every night and truly preventing her from resting well.
Soon after, Bai Mei hurried back, her voice filled with anxiety. “Miss, the officials have come, but only two arrived. Before they could even speak with Steward Zheng, Zhao Tong sent them away…”
“What?”
The courtyard where Ji Ruyue stayed was surrounded.
Seeing that even officials had been summoned, Zhao Tong no longer concealed his intentions. Accustomed to living the high life as a master, he naturally had no desire to feign courtesy with Ji Ruyue.
He planned to confine this delicate young lady to the guest courtyard. Once the buyers arrived tomorrow, he could cleverly make his escape.
If asked why he was so bold?
Because most of the Medicine Manor’s fields had been gradually acquired with his help for Old Master Ji, and the land deeds were still in his custody, having never been sent back.With just a little manipulation on his part, the medicinal herbs and even the deeds were all genuine.
The sale was conducted openly and aboveboard!
“Zhao Tong, how dare he act so recklessly!”
Ji Ruyue gritted her teeth in secret, blaming herself for being careless.
By now, reporting to the authorities was clearly too late.
She steadied her mind and began to think of a countermeasure.
“Have Steward Zheng come see me.”
“Yes.” Qingzhu responded immediately and went to summon Zheng Guanjia.
Steward Zheng hurried over, his face filled with worry, “Miss, there are over two hundred people gathered outside the estate. I’m afraid… we won’t be able to escape.”
He had originally intended to have the guards escort Ji Ruyue away first, but that was no longer possible!
Even if the guards were highly skilled in martial arts, they would be powerless to break through such a large crowd of tenants.
If Ji Ruyue suffered even the slightest injury, he would have no face left to live in this world!
“Steward Zheng, there’s no need to panic.”
Ji Ruyue lightly tapped her fingers on the table, her eyes lowered in thought, “Those people are tenants, which means they are the Ji family’s tenants, not just Zhao Tong’s subordinates.”
Steward Zheng was taken aback, “That is indeed true.”
“Even if the officials are negligent, they already know that members of the Ji family are here. If any lives are lost, they will be held accountable.”
“Yes.”
“Then… what do you think Zhao Tong intends to do?”
Steward Zheng, having dealt with countless people, pondered for a moment and quickly understood.
“Miss, are you saying… Zhao Tong intends to flee?”
“Mm.”
Ji Ruyue stood up, her expression now calm and composed, “His betrayal of his master is already clear. With the officials arriving today, he no longer wishes to hide it. His urgency is evident, and he must have planned this long ago. It’s just unfortunate that we arrived at an inopportune time.”
“Then…”
Ji Ruyue nodded slightly to Zheng Guanjia, “Steward Zheng, go outside and make your identity known. Persuade the tenants kindly, urging them not to aid the wicked. For those who contribute to resolving this matter, next year’s tenant head silver will be fully exempted. Additionally, we will select a new steward from among them.”
Steward Zheng’s eyes lit up, “Yes, I understand.”