Palace Coup 22

After a great deal of exertion, the evening had deepened into dusk. Xie Miaoxuan squinted hard to make out the path beneath her feet, while reminding Da Niu to watch his step.

Just as they reached the foot of the mountain, panting and weary, a figure approached them carrying a torch.

Xie Miaoxuan looked up. The man was tall, and with the moonlight behind him, he stood in silhouette, as handsome as an exiled immortal. Ever since she had stopped forcing him to wear the coarse hempen robes of a low-ranking servant, he had taken to wearing white silk. His hair, dark as ink, was tied back simply with a blue band; this minimalist attire lent him an air of detached, ascetic elegance. It was as if the torch he held were not a flame, but a paper umbrella used for strolling through a misty, rain-drenched lake.

As he drew closer, she could see the firm, powerful muscles of his partially exposed forearms—a hint of the formidable martial prowess he kept hidden beneath his cool, refined exterior.

His appearance was truly deceptive. This was her beautiful child-husband.

Xie Yuanju possessed keen eyesight and had long since noticed the person on Da Niu’s back, as well as the blood dripping from the man’s fingertips. His gaze lingered on that for a moment before shifting to her. Sensing his unspoken question, she handed him the long sword she was carrying and said, "I found this man on the mountain. His martial arts are quite peculiar—light, swift, and cunning. I intend to learn his sword techniques. A three-month term, and then we go our separate ways. Have a physician come to tend to his wounds later."

Her tone was certain, a notification of a decision already made rather than a suggestion. Xie Miaoxuan felt nothing wrong with this; she had treated him well and offered him special consideration, and she believed he could sense this preferential treatment.

"Learn sword techniques?"

"Take a look at this blade."

Xie Yuanju’s brows twitched, his expression unreadable. Xie Miaoxuan asked, "Why? Do you think it’s inappropriate? Is it not possible?"

For a young lady to learn the sword was rare even in her former world; here, it would certainly be considered shocking. It was only natural for him to find it strange.

"No, I think it is fine. A young lady should follow her own heart in whatever she wishes to learn." His voice was gentle and elegant. He had long ago sensed her intense desire for independence—this morning she had asked to learn martial arts from him, and later she had sent him to the capital on business while she handled the estate steward herself. She had made no effort to hide her intentions; her resolve was plain to see.

He would not use the current social codes governing women to lecture her. If she wanted to learn martial arts, it was not a bad thing. In fact, he not only found it appropriate but was entirely in favor of it.

He did, however, offer a reminder: "The background of this man is likely not simple."

Xie Miaoxuan was surprised; she had not expected him to be so open-minded. She had prepared a defense, but now she swallowed the words. Was he merely worried that this man posed a danger to her?

She stepped closer to him. He was more than a head taller than she was, and she had to tilt her head back to look into his eyes. She smiled, "What is there to fear? I have you, don't I?"

She even found the mood to pat his shoulder teasingly, "If he were to suddenly turn violent, could you defeat him? Do you have the confidence?"

Xie Yuanju stared into her eyes for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Yes, I can keep you safe."

The night grew deeper, and the sounds of insects and birds rose and fell in a chorus. The main courtyard was brightly lit. All the retainers had relocated there, and though there were over a hundred of them, they didn't mind the crowding, standing or squatting in every corner, killing chickens, boiling meat, and eating with great satisfaction.

The aroma of the food drifted far. Today, the tenant farmers had all received a large share of grain, and their granaries were full. Having suddenly become prosperous, many who had previously been reluctant to eat well could no longer resist the scent of meat drifting from the main courtyard. They, too, began finding ways to scrape together some oil and fat to fill their bellies.

Chests of gold and silver, along with calligraphy and paintings, were placed into the storeroom, with the overflow stacked in the main living quarters. Touching these items, Xie Miaoxuan felt a stir of ambition.

It would be about a year until the chaos of war descended. When that time came, natural disasters and military strife would be constant, grain prices would skyrocket, and a gold coin would not even buy a sack of grain. She had to plan ahead.

When Xie Yuanju arrived with food, he saw her touching a large gold coin, her face glowing with excitement. In just one day, it seemed she had shed the delicate pride of a noble family. If it were the woman from two days ago, she would likely have refused to even keep such "vulgar" things in her room, fearing they would tarnish her aristocratic refinement.

"My Lady, your evening meal has arrived."

The tray contained porridge made of fine rice and delicately prepared meat dishes. Smelling the food, Xie Miaoxuan realized her stomach was empty; she had only consumed a few sips of water and some unpalatable bean cakes all day. Now that the estate was under her control, she could finally eat in peace.

"Thank you." She sat down and began to eat. She ate quickly, but her posture remained graceful.

Xie Yuanju had already grown accustomed to her unusually casual attitude over the past two days. He heard her thanks without a flicker of emotion. When she had finished, he handed her a white silk cloth.

Only then did Xie Miaoxuan notice he had been standing the whole time. She took the cloth to wipe her mouth and said, "Sit."

"The registration for your personal household is complete," Xie Yuanju said after sitting down, placing a sheet of yellow-backed paper on the table. "The people sent by the Xie family yesterday to retrieve you returned empty-handed. They haven't dared to make a scene yet, but they have dispatched retainers to search for you everywhere."

"The three who were knocked unconscious—Nanny Nian and the others—woke up and tried to return to the Xie estate with the injured Wen Zhuo. I intentionally lured away the search parties from the Xie estate so they wouldn't cross paths. The three of them had to walk back to the capital on foot; at their pace, they should arrive at the Xie residence by tonight at the latest."

"Xie Yuan will not be so easily deceived as the head of the clan. He will surely find the holes in the story about bandits blocking the road. As long as the Xie family is willing to spend money to grease the wheels, the Imperial Guard or the Capital Magistrate will begin investigating your whereabouts. We will be found within two days at the latest."

Xie Yuanju laid out the situation of the Xie clan clearly, his voice low and warm.

Xie Miaoxuan knew this well. She had never intended for this ruse to permanently sever ties with the main branch of the Xie family. Even if it deceived them for a while, a thorough analysis would eventually reveal the flaws—even the claim of bandits appearing in the heavily guarded capital region was shaky.

But the thought of them expecting a massive fortune, only to find nothing and instead have to bleed their own coffers dry, gave her a moment of satisfaction.

All she needed was a few days of breathing room, which was why she had handled Cao Youxin so ruthlessly and swiftly. Once she was established, she would not fear even if the Xie family came knocking with their entire clan.

She was surprised that he had gathered so much information in just one day. She had assumed that even obtaining the household registration would take days, yet he had not only handled it with ease but had also found time to toy with Nanny Nian and the others.

His efficiency was so high it made her marvel. She couldn't help but sigh: a talent truly worth cultivating!

In the flickering candlelight, his features were cast in warm, golden hues, his eyes as vast and deep as a star-filled night. With his high bridge of the nose and posture as straight as a pine, he was a living painting of beauty.

His lean waist possessed a hidden, resilient strength, blending the clarity of youth with the burgeoning masculinity of a grown man. The candlelight danced upon his flawless, radiant face. He truly possessed the beauty of Pan An and Wei Jie.

Xie Miaoxuan found herself momentarily dazzled by such splendor.