The street in front of Chengenhou Manor was a bustling stream of carriages and horses, appearing all the more festive and lively against the backdrop of red firecracker scraps littering the ground.
The steward systematically arranged for maids and servants to lead the guests inside, guiding them to various areas according to their status and age.
The Marquis of Chengen was celebrating the birth of a son. Today was the child’s full-month milestone. As early as when the child was born, the Marquis had ordered a grand celebration. Even the servants were dressed in new clothes, and every detail reflected the immense importance placed on this newborn.
Finding a brief moment of respite, the steward turned aside to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Although it was already the ninth month and the chill of autumn was deepening, the sun remained scorching when it hung high in the sky.
Calculating the time, he figured most of the guests should have arrived. Just as he was about to give a few instructions, he saw another carriage approaching. Following behind it was a Taiping carriage, tightly covered, with several people walking alongside it.
Seeing this display, the steward grew a bit more solemn.
Those who came to offer congratulations naturally brought gifts, yet they were invariably light and precious. This was the first guest to use a Taiping carriage to transport a gift.
He quickly descended the steps to greet them, his eyes sweeping over the carriage in a flash. He saw no family crest that would indicate their identity. Furthermore, the carriage made very little noise as it stopped, showing that both the driver and the horses were well-trained. He dared not underestimate them further, so he bowed his back and put on a smile, waiting for the person inside to reveal themselves.
The driver placed the footstool down and stepped to the side.
The carriage door opened, and the first to emerge was a woman in her early twenties. She was tall, dressed in clean and simple attire, and did not use the footstool, jumping straight down from the carriage instead.
When the steward met her gaze, he instinctively looked away. Based on his experience with people, this woman likely possessed some martial skill.
Following her was a young girl, about ten years old. She looked up at the plaque of Chengenhou Manor, pursed her lips, and lowered her gaze as she stepped off the carriage.
The steward felt she looked somewhat familiar. Just as a thought flashed through his mind, a rich shade of green entered his vision, instantly capturing his attention.
This was a woman with a round face and almond eyes. Normally, a girl with such a cute appearance would not be able to pull off such a rich color, yet for some reason, this stone green seemed perfectly suited to her. In fact, even the word “cute” didn’t seem to apply to her at all.
The thought only flickered for a moment before the steward immediately lowered his eyes, composed himself, and stepped forward to pay his respects.
“This humble one greets the young lady. May I ask which household you are from…”
“Lan Jin.”
The surname ‘Lan’ was rare. While the steward was mentally searching for which family in the capital it might be, he heard the girl speak again: “I have come to Chengenhou Manor to collect a debt for someone.”
The steward froze for a second. Realizing that an unwelcome guest had arrived, he opened his mouth to raise an alarm, only for the woman who had first stepped off the carriage to grab his chin and shove him back.
Then, the woman smiled at him and, with a quick pull, dislocated his jaw. She held him down, rendering him unable to move.
“Bring the things,” Lan Jin instructed without looking back. She took the young girl’s hand and ascended the steps.
The attendants pulled back the tarpaulin on the Taiping carriage. When the steward saw what was revealed, his eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
A—a coffin?
Bringing a coffin to the door on such a joyous day?
This wasn’t just an unwelcome guest; this was an enemy of the Marquis Mansion coming for blood!
Even if the other servants of the Marquis Mansion hadn’t realized something was wrong before, they certainly did now upon seeing the coffin. The opposing side had many people, and knowing they couldn’t stop them, the servants chose not to act as the mantis trying to stop the carriage. They scrambled and ran inside to report the news.
At this time, guests were still arriving at the gates of Chengenhou Manor. Seeing this spectacle, they knew there was a great drama to be witnessed. Naturally, they loved watching other families’ troubles. Placing their gifts on the table at the entrance, they excitedly followed them in.
Once inside the front courtyard, Lan Jin walked with a leisurely pace, treating the servants—who wanted to stop her but didn’t dare, retreating as she advanced—as if they were nothing. She had deliberately chosen a day like today for a grand entrance; she wanted as many people to come as possible.
Feeling the dampness in the girl’s palm, Lan Jin looked at the girl’s tense little face. she opened the girl’s palm and gently wiped away the sweat with a handkerchief. “Don’t be afraid. You have me.”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it allowed the girl to steady her mind.
After spending these days together, she trusted Miss Lan Jin. She was afraid, yes, but she had not a shred of desire to retreat.
If they succeeded, she might still have a future. If they failed…
The girl took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. From the day she was sent away, her life was already ruined. At worst, she would simply lose her life here.
Inside the main hall, laughter and chatter filled the air. The high-spirited Marquis of Chengen, Yu Qing, was laughing particularly heartily. After years of having no heir, his Second Lady had finally given birth to a son. It was truly a great joy in his life.
“Marquis!” A piercing voice cut through the joy in the room like a sharp knife. Yu Qing’s smile froze on his face. He cast a heavy, angry gaze upon the undisciplined servant. This was truly losing face for the Marquis Mansion!
The page boy knew he was being out of line, but he couldn’t care about that now. He stepped forward and reported urgently, “Marquis, someone has brought a coffin to the door!”
Although he lowered his voice, everyone present was as sharp as a needle. Seeing the page boy’s expression, they knew something was wrong. Intentionally or not, they all stopped talking and pricked up their ears. Those standing close naturally heard him clearly.
Someone, whether intentionally or unintentionally, cried out in shock, “Brought a coffin?”
Yu Qing took note of that person who loved to stir up trouble, feeling a hidden resentment. The next time something happened in their family, he would surely return the favor.
His thoughts whirled for a few moments before Yu Qing asked with a dark face, “Which family are they from? Do you recognize them?”
The page boy shook his head. He hadn’t been close enough to hear what the steward and the woman said. He had rushed to report as soon as he saw the coffin.
“We’ll know who it is once we go out and see,” said the same person from before, the light in his eyes shining far too brightly.
Which of these families could claim they didn’t have a rival they shared bad blood with? However, the capital had its own set of rules. Unless the grudge was so great that it was a fight to the death, no one would come to cause trouble on such a joyous day.
The others were just as eager for a scene. Yu Qing only had time to order someone to call for the Marquis Mansion’s guards and personal retainers before he was ushered out into the courtyard.
The female guests were a step slower but soon received the news as well. Hearing that the men had already gone to watch the excitement, a few busybodies persuaded the Second Lady to come along as well.
Before anyone had even settled their stance, they saw two girls—one tall and one short—slowly approaching. Eight burly men carrying a coffin followed closely behind with synchronized steps.
Lan Jin stopped and signaled with a hand. The coffin was placed gently on the ground.
“I heard Chengenhou Manor has cause for celebration today. I have come uninvited to add another piece of joy to the manor.”
Yu Qing’s brows furrowed deeply. “I do not know what deep-seated hatred my manor has with you that you would be so impolite as to bring a coffin as a ‘gift’ of joy.”
“I haven’t introduced myself yet; it is indeed impolite.” Lan Jin leaned into a bow. “Lan Jin greets everyone.”
Lan? Everyone looked at each other, seeing the answer in one another’s eyes. It wasn’t that the surname Lan didn’t exist in the capital, but none of the households with that name had the standing or the courage to cause trouble at the Marquis Mansion.
Lan Jin gently patted the little girl’s shoulder. “We mustn’t be impolite.”
The little girl lifted her slightly bowed head. Meeting the gazes of the crowd opposite her, she felt a surge of hatred and pain upon realizing that not a single person recognized her. She looked fifty percent like her mother. It was one thing if others didn’t remember, but for no one in Chengenhou Manor to recognize her!
In that case, she would make these people remember her once again.