Chapter 4
Song Jiyun placed the chest in the silk cabinet next to her inner room.
Ever since she decided to live well under this identity, she had arranged a dressing room according to her habits from her past life.
That silk cabinet was her dressing room.
She instructed Zheng Quan, “On your trip, if you have the chance, discreetly hire a few skilled martial artists to guard the house. If they’re women, even better.”
This incident made her realize that there could never be too many precautions.
Zheng Quan respectfully agreed.
Song Jiyun gave him further instructions about matters to be cautious of during his trip before sending him off.
Xiang Zan, however, couldn’t help but feel worried.
She asked, “Brother Quan won’t be here. What if the eldest master sends people to bully us?”
“They won’t,” Song Jiyun replied.
“Father’s seven-day mourning period isn’t over yet. The Third Master’s stance is still unclear. If the Eldest Master wants to seize our family’s assets, he won’t dare openly break relations with us at this time. Otherwise, he’ll gain the reputation of bullying orphans and widows, which will make it difficult for him in the future.”
Xiang Zan nodded in vague understanding. Since the Big Miss said there wouldn’t be a problem, there definitely wouldn’t be.
Still, she was visibly upset and said, “Big Miss, you should also discipline those sweeping women in the outer courtyard.”
“Oh!” Song Jiyun raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Xiang Zan whispered to her,
“I overheard them gossiping, saying that the Second Master only had three daughters and no sons. Even if the Second Madam lucks out and her unborn child is a son, without support from uncles, who knows if he can hold his ground. In the future, the Second Branch’s assets will definitely fall into the hands of the Eldest or Third Master.”
She was so angry she was almost in tears.
“That’s definitely why Steward Lin dared to defy you! That’s also why no one cleaned the Second Master’s study before!”
Song Jiyun pressed her lips together.
These were things she had already expected.
In her past life, she had heard far worse remarks.
But hearing such malicious speculations about her parents and her unborn sibling still disgusted her.
“Don’t worry,” she said, patting Xiang Zan’s head. “I know everything. After Father’s funeral, I’ll dismiss a group of servants who previously served Father.”
It would be the perfect opportunity to identify those who were disloyal or lazy.
Xiang Zan nodded repeatedly.
Song Jiyun’s expression softened slightly as she said, “Now, go to the Ritual Hall and bring me the guest register.”
She needed to know exactly who had come to pay their respects to her father so she could respond appropriately if anything happened.
Xiang Zan ran off to the Ritual Hall with a cheerful smile.
Song Jiyun, however, reflected that she had overestimated the servants in the Song household.
Some people were so foolish that nothing could stop them.
Otherwise, someone like Steward Lin wouldn’t exist.
Just to be safe, she decided to transfer a few capable maidservants to her mother and sister’s courtyard to serve them closely.
She sat at the desk by the window in her inner room, reorganizing the roster for guarding the inner courtyard.
A faint rustling sound came from the chest.
If it weren’t for the absolute silence in the silk cabinet and her attentive ear, the noise would have gone unnoticed.
Song Jiyun frowned.
She knew the potency of her drug better than anyone.
The unfamiliar man shouldn’t have woken up this soon.
He had woken early.
Was it because of his extraordinary martial arts skills?
Song Jiyun felt uneasy.
She pretended not to hear and continued working on the guard roster.
First, she wanted to intimidate him.
People tied up in darkness, uncertain about their fate, often imagined the worst and frightened themselves.
Second, she wanted to observe his character so she would know how to deal with him.
After retrieving the guest register from the Ritual Hall, sending the roster to the head maid through Xiang Zan, and sipping a cup of tea to soothe her throat, Song Jiyun finally walked quietly to the chest and suddenly flung it open with a “bang.”
A pair of dark, clear eyes met hers.
Staring back at her was the unfamiliar man, his expression calm and gaze composed.
Despite being left alone for so long, he seemed completely unaffected.
He appeared even more rational, calm, and poised than when they had met in the study.
Song Jiyun’s heart sank.
The worst outcome had materialized.
Her unease deepened, but she masked it, maintaining her composure.
She said calmly, “You’re awake, young master! Why don’t we discuss the future? What do you think?”
A flicker of light crossed the man’s eyes, like an obsidian shard slicing through a dark sky.
Before she could discern it clearly, he nodded.
Seeing no point in pursuing the matter, Song Jiyun removed the cloth gag from his mouth.
The man took several deep breaths.
Song Jiyun apologized, “Inviting you here in such a manner was inappropriate of us. However, I ask for your understanding of our difficulties. I still have many matters to resolve, and before I do, I can’t risk letting you go.”
The man paused and asked, “Aren’t you afraid of the trouble this might bring later?”
There were many potential troubles—his own retaliation, that of his family, or those from the forces behind him.
Song Jiyun had already considered this before taking action.
“Of course I’m afraid,” she said earnestly. “But if someone doesn’t even have today, why worry about tomorrow?”
The man seemed momentarily stunned.
Song Jiyun smiled and changed the subject.
“May I ask for your name, young master? And what kind of accommodation do you prefer? I have a tranquil, elegant courtyard and a luxurious pavilion. Where would you like to stay? I’ll arrange for you to be comfortable.”
The man stared at her with a serious expression, his intensity unnerving.
Song Jiyun felt slightly uneasy.
She hadn’t encountered someone with such an oppressive aura in years.
Was he ignoring her deliberately?
Song Jiyun, in both lives, was not known for her patience.
Her irritation began to rise, but before she could consider a new approach, the man suddenly said, “My surname is Yuan.”
Song Jiyun was taken aback.
Young Master Yuan continued, “This silk cabinet looks fine to me. If the young miss is willing, I’d like to stay here for a few days. What do you think?”
Absolutely not!
Song Jiyun was now certain he intended to make things difficult for her.
She said, “I’m afraid the space is too small and may not suit you, young master.”
Yuan scoffed mockingly and said, “You have the courage to plot for family assets but fear hosting a man in your home?”
Song Jiyun was speechless but quickly smirked inwardly.
Fear hosting a man? I’m afraid you’ll regret it later!
“You’re joking, young master!” She met his gaze directly. “Since you’re willing to stay here, it brings great honor to my humble silk cabinet. I’ll have someone prepare a small bed for you here.”
She waited for him to regret his choice.
But Yuan closed his eyes, signaling no interest in further conversation.
Song Jiyun curled her lips in disdain and called Xiang Zan to tidy up the cabinet.
Yuan Zhi smirked inwardly.
If she thought keeping him here would be easy, she was mistaken.
He wanted to see how she would handle things when his people arrived.
Yuan Zhi tugged at the rope binding him.
It had tightened further.
A double-loop knot—designed to grow tighter with every struggle.
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