Chapter Seven: The Ominous Signs

When the eldest mistress left with her entourage, Spring Grass hurried outside to fetch a broom, carefully sweeping up the fragments on the floor to prevent anyone from getting injured.

Xu Ruojin wanted to help, but Spring Grass adamantly refused. “You’d better not touch anything. What if you get hurt? In a couple of days, you’ll have to meet the guests from the Zhang family.”

“What guests? I’d rather not see any at all,” Xu Ruojin muttered under her breath. She looked at Spring Grass, her mood gradually softening. “You’re quite bold, siding with me right in front of the eldest mistress. Aren’t you afraid she’ll make trouble for you?”

“I am afraid, but I only spoke the truth,” Spring Grass paused in her work and looked at Xu Ruojin. “The Second Miss is the truly fearless one—she drank that bowl of porridge and argued with the eldest mistress. But really, it all comes down to Old Madam Chen’s scheming. I wonder if the eldest mistress ever realized what was going on.”

“She never cares whether someone is stirring up trouble or not. Nor does she care about that bowl of bird’s nest porridge. She only wants to remind me that her status is higher.” Xu Ruojin, exhausted from the quarrel, had originally been excited about her new books and writing materials, thinking about how she could learn more from her teacher tomorrow. Who would have thought that another argument with her sister-in-law would arise unexpectedly?

But Xu Ruojin wasn’t afraid. She’d already fallen to the lowest point in this household; what more could others do to her?

With nothing left to lose, she wouldn’t provoke trouble herself, but she would never allow others to bully her without resistance.

“But…” Spring Grass hesitated, then voiced her concerns, “But I think you should bear it for now. The eldest mistress is pregnant. If she complains to the Madam, you’ll be scolded again.”

“She won’t go, don’t worry.” Xu Ruojin was certain. Although Li Qiuping ranked higher than her in the Xu family, Yang would never tolerate her reckless words.

The Zhang family looked down on the Xu family for social climbing; this was a sore spot for Yang. If Li Qiuping touched Yang’s bottom line now, Yang would not let her off lightly.

Spring Grass shook her head, asking no further. Xu Ruojin looked at her. “Spring Grass, do you know who saved me?”

Spring Grass shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Xu Ruojin sighed inwardly, secretly glancing at the jade pendant. Anxiety gnawed at her heart.

It felt like a curse—so long as she didn’t return it, she’d never be at ease.

She’d tried several times to find out who it belonged to, but to no avail. There was nothing to do but wait and see.

Yet it seemed that everyone wanted to leave this matter unspoken.

After tidying up, Spring Grass drew water to wash, then lay down beside Xu Ruojin.

Their mutual sighs filled the room, and Xu Ruojin couldn’t sleep peacefully.

When Spring Grass quietly turned over again, Xu Ruojin understood her worries. “Spring Grass.”

“Does Second Miss need to get up?” Spring Grass sat up.

Xu Ruojin patted her, urging her to lie down again. “I only want to tell you, from now on, we must rely on each other. As long as I have a mouthful to eat, I won’t let you go hungry.”

“Second Miss…” Spring Grass’s voice trembled. “It’s my duty to serve you. That’s my responsibility.”

“There’s no such thing as duty or responsibility; it’s all about affection. I owe Miao, and one day I’ll make it up to her. Don’t worry—good days will come. Sleep now.”

Xu Ruojin closed her eyes, focusing her thoughts on tomorrow’s lessons.

Spring Grass glanced at her, pursed her lips, and soon shut her eyes, determined not to overthink.

The night was dark, the wind howled, and the rain fell in a steady drizzle. The night’s wind whipped against the window, causing the fabric to shudder and disturbing dreams.

Awakened by the noise, Xu Ruojin found it hard to sleep.

She pondered her current status and the hazy memories in her mind, unable to find words to describe the astonishing journey she’d lived. Her mind felt empty as she stared at the ceiling.

The discomfort of sleeplessness was unbearable, her thoughts in disarray.

She thought about the person who had saved her. Yang had asked about him; Li Qiuping had mentioned him during their argument. Yet, no one had revealed his identity.

Who was he, really?

She remembered he was tall and broad-shouldered with a stern face. She couldn’t recall his features exactly, but his hands were ice cold.

Her thoughts wandered further. She changed position but continued to dwell.

Was the jade pendant truly his? Even if it wasn’t, Xu Ruojin wanted to thank him.

After all, he had saved “her” life. Even though her current role was one she didn’t want, at least she was alive.

A strange rustling sound suddenly broke the silence. Xu Ruojin frowned, straining her ears.

After a long quiet spell, her heart relaxed.

Who would bother with such a rundown house? What was she afraid of? Who would come to steal anything?

Yes—stealing!

Xu Ruojin remembered the pendant, reached under her pillow, found nothing. She recalled she’d tucked it into the ink box while reading earlier, hoping to hide it more securely.

No one should know—except her.

She hesitated…

“Clink!”

Another strange sound.

Xu Ruojin sat up abruptly, checking Spring Grass, who was still asleep.

She tiptoed from the bed and caught a glimpse of a shadow behind the small table.

“Who’s there?!”

Startled, she saw the person holding the jade pendant.

She was about to shout, but the stranger covered her mouth with his hand.

The icy pendant dangled before her eyes. At her ear, a man’s voice spoke darkly, “I’ve come to collect what’s mine.”

Xu Ruojin swallowed nervously, nodded slightly to show she understood, and signaled for him to let go.

The large hand released her, and she took several deep breaths.

Moonlight filtered through the battered curtain, casting a fractured glow upon his face.

It was a cold, forbidding visage.

A high, prominent nose accentuated his narrow, deep-set eyes. His lips were sharply defined, and under the moonlight, his features appeared even more chilling.

His features were striking, but those gray eyes and the unshaven stubble lent a dangerous air, keeping others at a distance.

“Thank you for saving me. I wanted to return your pendant, but I didn’t know your identity, and I couldn’t find out. Besides, it’s not easy for me to go out. I’m sorry.”

Xu Ruojin kept her voice low, speaking sincerely.

He scrutinized her for a long moment. “Does anyone else know about this pendant?”

“No,” Xu Ruojin replied carefully, omitting Miao’s name.

“Your room is truly shabby.”

“Uh…”

Before Xu Ruojin could react, a flash of light swept past, and he vanished.

She chased a few steps to the doorway. The rain still fell heavily, obscuring the distant view.

She looked down at the wet footprints on the floor. The pendant was gone from the ink box. Only then did she realize this was no dream—the man had truly been here.

But…

But his behavior was utterly baffling! Did he really need to comment on her rundown room? Anyone could see that!

Xu Ruojin felt stifled with frustration.

Could handsome men simply appear to frighten others?

What sort of savior—he was simply a lunatic!

“Lunatic!”

Xu Ruojin returned to bed, muttering curses before closing her eyes.

Outside, the man hidden in the shadows heard her words. He patted the jade pendant in his arms and quietly sheathed the knife at his waist.

Since when had he grown soft-hearted?

He recalled her sparkling eyes in the night.

Vaulting over the wall, he left without a sound.