Сhарtеr 19: I Аm a Mаn
Оnlу аftеr the crowd hаd сomplеtely lеft thе соurtуаrd did Bаi Меi lеt out a sigh оf relief: “Miss, what shоuld wе do nехt?”
Ji Ruуuе rubbеd her fоrеhеad: “Hаvе the guаrds summon everуonе in this residencе and hаve Grаnnу Hu takе a headсоunt. Аlsо, send pеорlе to seаrch this сourtyаrd thoroughlу. I want to sеe exасtlу how mаnу items from our Ji fаmily Zhао Tong hаs taken!”
“Yеs.”
“Alsо, lооk for thе land deеds and the sеrvаnts’ сontracts of sale.”
“I understand.”
Еvеryone went аbоut their tasks as оrdеred.
Ji Ruyue felt a heaviness in her chest and stood up to walk around.
Xi Qiu and the others silently followed behind her.
Looking around, she saw the courtyard was elegantly arranged, with rockeries scattered about and a pond encircling the area. In any other season, it would undoubtedly have a unique charm.
“Zhao Tong certainly knew how to enjoy himself.”
Hearing this, Xi Qiu muttered quietly in complaint: “Yes, he certainly did enjoy himself, using all the Ji family’s silver…”
Ji Ruyue walked into the garden, following a path paved with crushed stones. At a secluded bend, a small clearing opened up, paved with bluestone slabs. A stone table made from a pedestal and several stone stools were placed there. The table was covered with a thin layer of snow, and above it stood a lone, proud plum tree that had just begun to bud, creating a rather beautiful scene.
Xi Qiu frowned slightly: “That’s right, Miss, it’s just ahead there. Yesterday, I saw someone locked up in that spot.”
“Let’s go take a look.”
“Yes.” Xi Qiu immediately led the way.
Perhaps because she had been imprisoned for so long in her previous life, hearing about imprisonment again stirred some ripples in Ji Ruyue’s heart.
Zhao Tong could no longer escape. If she truly encountered someone pitiful, she wouldn’t mind lending a hand to rescue them.
The woodshed in daylight was completely different from at night. Two crude little huts stood in the corner, facing away from the light, appearing exceptionally desolate.
A row of bamboo frames stood on the west side of the yard, their purpose unclear.
The doors and windows were dilapidated, letting drafts in from all sides.
Xi Qiu stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Whether it was because Xi Qiu’s strength was too great or the door was never properly locked, with just a light knock, the door creaked open a crack.
Puzzled, Xi Qiu reached out to push the door but found it wouldn’t budge.
She peeked inside but couldn’t see anything.
“Huh, Miss, this door is locked with an iron chain.” She looked down and only then noticed the door was secured by two thin iron chains, fastened at both ends to the windows, sealing them shut tightly along with the door.
Xi Qiu pushed again with more force, but the door didn’t open; instead, she only covered herself in dust.
“This lock is quite clever.”
Ji Ruyue simply watched quietly, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
Xi Qiu called out twice into the room, but there was no response…
“Could this person have been released?” Xi Qiu wondered suspiciously.
Ji Ruyue shook her head, “No one should have entered or left today. Just open the door.”
The area around the door and windows was covered with a thin layer of snow, with no footprints visible yet.
The snow had stopped around mid-morning today. Although much of it had melted, the traces were still clear to see.
“Yes, Miss.”
After a moment’s thought, Xi Qiu decisively raised her foot and gave the door a powerful kick with a “Bang!”
Ji Ruyue: “…”
“Bang!”
The dilapidated wooden door fell inward with a heavy thud.
“Miss, I kicked the door open.”
“I can see that!” Ji Ruyue’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, unsure what to say in her heart.
What a reckless girl!
Xi Qiu grinned and stepped inside in one stride.
“Miss, he’s still here.”
“Miss, I don’t know if this person is dead or not…”Ji Ruyue wanted to step forward to take a look, but Granny Hu stopped her. “Miss, please stand back. This old servant knows a little about medicine. Let me examine him.”
Ji Ruyue did not stop her and nodded.
There was a rustling sound inside the room for a while. After a moment, Xi Qiu and the old maidservant worked together to help someone out.
It was unclear how long this person had been imprisoned. Covered in dust and filth from head to toe, his long hair was matted into clumps. He wore only a tattered, thin garment, the rags clinging tightly to his emaciated, skeletal frame, gaunt and frail.
“How is he?”
As soon as Ji Ruyue finished speaking, she met a pair of eyes as clear as spring water…
They were exceptionally beautiful eyes, narrow and long, hidden beneath long, delicate lashes, calm and translucent, like glass immersed in ice and snow, cold and clear.
Granny Hu’s expression turned grim. “What a sin! Even if he were a servant, he shouldn’t have been treated like this. This person has been locked up for so long he can’t even walk! And not a single meal was given to him—he’s so thin he’s nothing but skin and bones. Ah…”
A faint redness instantly welled up in Ji Ruyue’s eyes.
Granny Hu’s words pierced deep into her heart like needles.
Indeed, someone imprisoned for a long time would not know how to walk.
The person’s gaze never left Ji Ruyue. Seeing her tears, he felt puzzled. His lips twitched slightly as if he wanted to speak, but he was in too much discomfort. In the end, he lowered his head.
“Take him down to wash up.”
Unable to bear the sight, Ji Ruyue turned and walked away first.
Xi Qiu lifted him with slight disdain, muttering under her breath, “So thin and weak, yet still so heavy? You little girl are lucky to be alive, thanks to our young lady’s kindness.”
Little girl?
“I am a man.”