Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 97

"Yan'er..." Madam tide smiled as she saw her.

Zhao Yan walked to Madam Xi's side, knelt down, and said, "Madam, what's wrong? Why are you crying?...Did the young master make you angry again?"

Lady tide reached out and gently stroked her hair, "Yan'er, I'm alright..."

Zhao Yan gently held her hand and smiled, "Madam, don't cry. The Third Young Master will understand your good intentions one day."

Madam tide shook her head. "If only he were as sensible as you... If only you were my daughter!"

A hint of coldness unconsciously crept into Zhao Yan's eyes, and her smile dimmed.

"Yan'er?" Lady Xi called out.

Zhao Yan smiled again, "What's wrong, Madam?"

Madam Xi's eyes instantly filled with pity. "Yan'er, I know you've suffered a lot... You've smiled less ever since you returned from Jiyu Manor. I know your mother's situation has been a huge blow to you... But, the dead cannot be brought back to life..."

Zhao Yan interrupted her, "Madam, I know."

Lady Xi reached out and pulled her into her arms. "My poor Yan'er. It's all Qi's fault! If it weren't for him, your mother wouldn't have died! He abandoned your mother and now he even sends his disciple to humiliate you! ... Yan'er, I'm so useless. All these years, I haven't given you a single good day. You've had to toil and struggle for me. I'm so sorry..."

As Lady tide spoke, tears streamed down her face.

Zhao Yan listened quietly, gently patting Madam Xi's back. This wasn't the first time she'd heard these words. It was because Madam Qi had driven her mother to her death that she was in her current state. She was destined to be a slave for life, all thanks to her own father…

"...Yan'er, we women are destined for a bitter life from birth. Ten years in the music academy, no matter how many good deeds I did, could never wash away the stain. I thought that marrying into Hero's Fortress would bring happiness. But while the fortress lord was alive, I suffered endless bullying from the first wife. After the fortress lord's early death, I faced countless accusations from the clan. Even when I wanted to adopt you as my daughter, I was condemned by everyone, who said I had disgraced Hero's Fortress... I thought that having a child would give me support. But he would rather protect his two half-brothers... What should I do? Yan'er, what should we do?..." Madam Xi cried bitterly, her voice choked with sobs.

Zhao Yan's expression was cold. A great flood eight years ago had destroyed all her happiness. She still vividly remembered how her young brother had died under the trampling. How naive she had been, believing that being adopted by the lady of Hero's Fortress would guarantee a good life. But she was wrong…

By day, she endured nothing but cold stares and ridicule. By night, she listened to these cries over and over again.

What destroyed everything for her was not the flood, but the Qi family! What blocked her happiness was not her background, but the clansmen of Hero's Fortress!

"You're nothing but a lowly maid!"

How many people had said those words to her...? Even the person she tried so hard to protect, didn't they still coldly utter these words? No matter what she did, she was just a servant girl...

She gently patted Madam Xi's back and coaxed her, "Madam, don't cry. The porridge will get cold and won't taste good."

Lady Xi wiped away her tears and nodded.

Zhao Yan walked to the table, served the porridge to Madam tide, and helped her finish it. She then coaxed Madam Xi to sleep before leaving the room.

As soon as she stepped out, a servant came up to her and handed her a letter.

She went back to her room, opened the envelope with some doubt, and after reading it, her expression changed.

She looked at the letter, her brows furrowed.

Enclosed in the letter was a small paper packet. She held the packet in her palm, staring at it silently, a sinister glint appearing in her eyes.

She put the paper package into her bosom and then placed the letter into the incense burner.

The crimson flames silently spread across the letter, making the last line of text all the more chilling:

What belongs to me, I will definitely take back.

...

Unscrupulous

Xiao Xiao later learned that the prefect she had met on the road was named Ye Zhang, originally a military general who had also joined the resistance against the Jin dynasty. After Marshal Yue Fei's unjust death, he was also implicated and demoted. However, Ye Zhang was an honest and upright official with considerable achievements. After several ups and downs, he was recently promoted to prefect of this coastal county.

These past few days, the people on the streets have been saying that Prefect Ye was once a subordinate of Yue Fei, and is naturally a talented and heroic figure. Moreover, he loves the people like his own children. In this battle of Donghai, he was ordered to comfort the fleeing people, and he personally attended to every detail. Everyone says that Heaven has eyes, and good people are always rewarded.

Xiao Xiao also felt that Heaven had eyes. When she was hungry and had no relatives or friends, she was fortunate to meet such a local official.

Upon entering the Ye residence, she worked alongside the other maids, washing clothes, sweeping, serving tea and water—her days were peaceful and uneventful. She wasn't wrong; a large-scale manhunt for the Donghai bandits was underway in the city, yet no one came to the Ye residence to investigate, and Ye Zhang, who had seen the portrait, seemed completely oblivious. While she was somewhat puzzled, she was mostly relieved.

A few days later, she sat on the steps of the courtyard, holding a bowl of rice. As she ate, she thought, "Why don't I just stay here permanently?"

People, living in this world, just want to have three meals a day and live a peaceful life. That's all Zuo Xiaoxiao's ambition is. Whether she's a bad person or a villain, she's never succeeded in anything she's done... so she might as well just be a good person...

Just as she was struggling with her thoughts, she saw two or three servants walk into the courtyard, preparing to have lunch.

When Xiaoxiao saw them, she stood up and made way for them. Just as she was about to run off to eat elsewhere, she overheard the servants talking:

"I thought they were calling us for something good, but it turns out we're just moving things into storage. Ugh, we're not government officials. This is exhausting..."

"The things we found in the East China Sea must be very valuable."

"That's right, there's always plenty of pearls and coral."

"Alas, I've heard that the imperial court is in such a hurry to wipe out the East Sea because of some kind of treasure."

"Really? What do you think it could be?"

Xiao Xiao paused for a moment upon hearing the words "East China Sea." Then, she shook her head violently.

"Oh, speaking of treasures, I just remembered that when I was moving things earlier, I saw something rare."

"What?"

"Sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument)".

Xiao Xiao, who was about to walk away, froze in place.

"What's so special about the sanxian?"

"What, you haven't heard of the 'Three-String Heroine'?"

"What?"

"The 'Three-String Heroine'! The one who's famous throughout the martial arts world! The one who cleverly captured the traitor at Hero's Fortress and routed the zombies at Jiyu Manor! And also, I heard she appeared during the Lian family's annihilation of the East Sea. Apparently, someone poisoned the East Sea, and the heroine bravely stepped in, not only saving those innocent civilians but also forcing the Lian family's fleet to retreat!"

Wow, that's amazing?

"Yes! I've heard she comes from a distinguished family, possesses superb martial arts skills, is chivalrous and courageous, and is incredibly intelligent! The three major families of the martial arts world owe her a debt of gratitude and bow down to her! She's also a stunning beauty; the third young master of Hero's Fort fell in love with her at first sight, the notorious bandit Silver Owl risked his life for her, and even the young master of the Lian family is completely infatuated with her! It's said that her weapon is a three-stringed plucked instrument, so she's known in the martial arts world as the 'Three-String Heroine'! However, her true identity remains a mystery..."

"I heard someone say last time that the heroine's real name is 'Luo Jiaojiao'!"

"Why did I hear it was 'Zhuo Xiaoqiao'?"

"You're all wrong, it's 'Zuo Miaomiao'!"

"Hey, this heroine is so mysterious, how could anyone know her true identity! Stop speculating, let's eat..."

The servants walked away, leaving Xiao Xiao frozen in place.

Illustrious background? Exceptional martial arts skills? A chivalrous spirit? Exceptionally intelligent? Stunningly beautiful? A female knight-errant playing the sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument)? ...This, isn't that referring to her?

She swallowed hard, then looked up at the setting sun. Hmm… the rumors were indeed terrifying…

She froze for a moment, then calmed herself and remembered the main topic the servants had just discussed.

Among the items seized from Donghai was a sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument)? Could it be hers?

She lowered her head, lost in thought. The token and the silver were gone, so be it. The account book… well, it was better that it was lost, saving her the trouble of repaying the debt. But the sanxian was her master's personal possession, his only keepsake… No, no, this was clearly a trap to lure her out. If she went to retrieve the sanxian, she would fall into the trap! Ah, what a treacherous trick!

Xiao Xiao held the bowl, her face serious. Yes, it was definitely a trap! And even if she succeeded, carrying that sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument) would be suicide, wouldn't it? Yes, she'd be dead if she went!!!

As she was thinking this, a thought suddenly occurred to her. Hearing the servants talk about the Three-Stringed Heroine, it was clear they didn't know her true identity. But if she were wanted, these things should have been made public long ago; how could she remain "mysterious"? Besides, Ye Zhang had examined all the portraits but hadn't recognized her either. Could it be…

Could it be that she wasn't even in those wanted posters...?

A flood of emotions overwhelmed her. She wasn't wanted? That meant she didn't have to hide anymore? ...Holding her rice bowl, she looked down, remembering that young master who could barely even tell a lie...

Was it he who let her go, or was she just being delusional? For some reason, she remembered the servant's ramblings, "Even the young master of the Lian family is completely infatuated with her..." If only that one sentence were true...

For a moment, the thought of going out to check the wanted poster suddenly popped into her mind. However, in an instant, her impatience cooled down...

She lowered her head and thought quietly: Isn't this good enough? If this peace isn't broken, it will continue indefinitely...

...

...I mean, I'm going to break the peace! = =+...

As evening fell, she took a broom and a feather duster and routinely went into Ye Zhang's study to clean.

Ye Zhang was diligent in his duties and hadn't returned yet at this hour. Xiao Xiao confidently pushed open the door and saw Ye Zhang's only daughter, Ye Zhihui, sitting at a small table writing. Although only eleven years old, she was already sensible, gentle, and charming. Xiao Xiao couldn't help but compare her to Shi Le'er, and in that comparison, Ye Zhihui seemed even more adorable.

Upon seeing Xiaoxiao, Ye Zhihui looked up, smiled sweetly, and said, "Sister, are you here to clean?"

She smiled slightly and nodded in agreement.

Ye Zhihui said nothing more and continued writing with her head down.

Xiao Xiao held a feather duster and a broom, wondering whether to sweep the floor first or dust off the dirt first. As she hesitated, she caught a glimpse of something on the center of the desk out of the corner of her eye.

It was a wanted poster, laid flat in the center of the desk, weighed down by paperweights on both sides. Clearly, it wasn't just casually placed there.

She stared blankly at the wanted poster.

Wensu...

"Sister, do you also like chivalrous heroes?"

Ye Zhihui's sudden words startled Xiao Xiao.

"Huh?...Me? I just..." She chuckled awkwardly a few times, "I just thought this person was quite handsome..."

Ye Zhihui put down her pen, walked to her desk, and looked at the wanted poster.

“‘Double Yin Blades’, that sounds impressive,” Ye Zhihui said.

"Uh..." Xiao Xiao didn't know how to answer.

"Sister, have you ever met a great hero?" Ye Zhihui looked up and asked.

Xiao Xiao shook her head.

"I've never seen it either," Ye Zhihui smiled. "I really want to go and see what the world is like... but my father would definitely not allow it."

Xiao Xiao really didn't expect that this gentle little girl would like the martial arts world.

"By the way, sister, have you ever heard of 'The Three-String Heroine'?" Ye Zhihui asked with a smile.

Xiao Xiao was startled and clutched the feather duster and broom tightly in her hands.

Ye Zhihui's eyes sparkled. "Wow, you're amazing! I heard that even the 'Double Yin Blades' were defeated by her!" she said excitedly, pointing to the wanted poster.

Her lips twitched slightly. This... rumor, isn't it getting more and more outrageous?

"I wish I could get to know the 'Three-String Heroine'!" Ye Zhihui said with a smile.