Chapter 97 – Well, Isn’t That a Coincidence

Mu Chen used the sword in his hand to slice through the rope tied around the mouth of the sack. With the tip of his sword, he pried the sack open and saw a girl’s face revealed inside.

He struck his fire striker and brought it close to get a better look—it was indeed the little maid from Xia Tian’s painting.

Looking more carefully, he noticed a purple ligature mark around her neck. He reached out to check under her nose and found she was still faintly breathing.

Mu Chen didn’t dare waste time. He took out a porcelain bottle from his chest, pulled out a pill, and stuffed it directly into the little maid’s mouth.

Then, dragging the sack, he first got out of the burial mound before lifting her out from it.

The city gates were probably already closed by then, so Mu Chen had no choice but to carry the little maid all the way to a countryside manor outside Shen Nian City.

When Mu Chen knocked on the gate of the manor, Steward Wu was surprised to see the girl in Mu Chen’s arms, but he didn’t ask questions. He simply led Mu Chen to the room he had once stayed in.

This manor was a later purchase by Shen Nian. It wasn’t large. Apart from Steward Wu, his wife, their two sons, and a daughter, there were only two old servant women doing odd chores.

Usually, Steward Wu and his family lived on the manor while also helping manage the hundred-mu orchard nearby.

The work in the orchard was mostly done by hiring villagers from the surrounding area, so the place remained relatively quiet.

Mu Chen placed the little maid on the heated brick bed, and Steward Wu went to call his wife and daughter to help clean her up and change her clothes.

Only then did Mu Chen have time to briefly explain the situation to Steward Wu. Of course, he didn’t go into details. Steward Wu understood and simply nodded without prying.

When Madam Wu came out after changing the girl’s clothes, she said, “There’s nothing seriously wrong with the girl, she just hasn’t woken up yet.”

Mu Chen nodded and thanked Steward Wu’s family.

Steward Wu told Mu Chen to go rest first—his wife and daughter would keep watch over the girl.

Mu Chen finally allowed himself to rest. He’d been running around all night and was utterly exhausted.

Steward Wu had once been a refugee rescued by Shen Nian. He could be fully trusted.

Just before dawn, the little maid finally woke up. After a long moment of disorientation, realizing she was still alive, she burst into tears.

No matter what Madam Wu asked, she refused to speak. Left with no other choice, they had to call Mu Chen over.

When she saw Mu Chen, the girl cried even harder.

Mu Chen’s face was dark as he stood there silently watching her. Only when she had cried enough did he finally speak.

“Tell me—who were you working for?”

The little maid instantly understood her secret was out. Her face turned deathly pale, and she dropped to her knees before Mu Chen with a thud.

“Did you save me last night?” she asked, her face smeared with snot and tears, but still wanting to confirm who her savior was.

“That’s right. I pulled you out from the burial mound outside the city.” Mu Chen crossed his arms, sword in hand, his voice cold.

“The… burial mound?” The little maid turned white as a sheet upon hearing this. Her eyes went blank, and she collapsed back onto the heated bed in shock.

“What, did you think otherwise?” Mu Chen’s voice was cold enough to freeze.

After a while, the girl let out a bitter, tearless smile that looked worse than crying. Her eyes sharpened.

She knelt properly again and kowtowed to Mu Chen before straightening up. “Ask whatever you want. I’ll tell you everything.”

Mu Chen’s expression finally softened a bit. He pulled over a stool and sat down, ready to question her.

Steward Wu had already ushered out his wife and daughter, leaving only Mu Chen and the little maid in the room.

“What’s your name? Who instructed you to drug the tea of the young madam and Miss Jing?”

“My name is Qing Ye. I was instructed by my godmother,” she replied. Seeing Mu Chen frown, she quickly added, “My godmother is Old Madam Li, the one who manages the orchard.”

“And do you know what drug you put in the tea?” Mu Chen asked, voice icy.

Qing Ye turned pale, cold sweat dripping down her face. “Yes… it was a sterilizing drug.”

When Old Madam Li handed her the drug and told her to put it in the tea, Qing Ye had initially refused. But Li had told her she now knew too much. If she didn’t do it, she wouldn’t live to regret it.

“And who was behind Old Madam Li?” Mu Chen asked.

“I don’t know. But my godmother—no, Li—was close with Granny Qi, the one serving the madam. I saw Granny Qi meet with her.”

Mu Chen immediately understood—there was no doubt this was Liu Shi’s doing.

“And what happened last night?” Mu Chen asked, even though he already knew.

Hearing this, Qing Ye’s eyes filled with hatred. She gritted her teeth before answering. “Last night, Old Madam Li told me to meet her by the rock garden in the orchard. But as soon as I got there, someone grabbed me by the neck and started strangling me.”

She shuddered. “If it weren’t for you saving me, I’d be dead by now.”

“Do you know who those two attackers were?”

“It was too dark—I couldn’t see clearly,” Qing Ye shook her head.

“Do you have any family?”

“No. I was sold to the marquis’s residence. I have no family,” she said, voice low.

“Then do you want revenge?”

“Of course I do. Even if I die, I won’t let Old Madam Li get away with it!” Qing Ye snarled, face twisted with rage.

She had agreed to drug them, yet Old Madam Li had still tried to kill her—just to silence her!

“Good. If you want revenge, then stay here for now. When the time comes, I’ll come get you. When that happens, will you dare confront Old Madam Li face to face?”

“I’ve already died once. Why would I be afraid of a confrontation? If I can drag her down, I’ll do whatever it takes!” Qing Ye said fiercely.

Since Old Madam Li didn’t want her to live, then neither of them would!

Mu Chen could tell she wasn’t lying. He had Steward Wu arrange a place for her to stay in the manor and quietly told him to keep a close eye on her—don’t let her run off. She might be useful later.

Steward Wu patted his chest and swore he’d watch her closely.

Mu Chen didn’t waste any more time. After thanking Steward Wu, he hurried back toward the city.

He still needed to report to the brat!

Back at the marquis’s residence, before dawn, Xia Tian had already arrived at Liu Shi’s courtyard.

Today, Shen Ning was getting married, and Liu Shi had asked Xia Tian to help her entertain the guests.

When Xia Tian arrived, Liu Shi was still doing her makeup. Xia Tian sat on a chair in her room to wait.

After Liu Shi was ready, she asked Xia Tian to go check on things around the estate, saying she’d follow shortly.

A maid brought over some tea, but before Xia Tian could drink any, Shen Ke came to find Liu Shi.

Seeing Xia Tian, Shen Ke offered a lukewarm greeting. “Sister-in-law, you’re here too?”

Xia Tian smiled faintly. “Fourth Brother.” Then she turned to Liu Shi, “Mother, I’ll go check on the other areas now.”

Liu Shi was too busy doting on her precious son to respond. Xia Tian didn’t mind and got up to leave.

At that moment, a maid came in carrying two cups of tea—no doubt meant for Liu Shi and Shen Ke.

Xia Tian hadn’t expected the opportunity to come this quickly. Well, isn’t that a coincidence?

Without a change in expression, she walked past the maid. Her sleeve brushed the tray, and in that moment, she had already used her spatial ability to switch the tea in the cups.

Without stopping, she exited the courtyard.

The maid didn’t notice anything and set the two cups in front of Liu Shi and Shen Ke before retreating.

Both Liu Shi and Shen Ke finished their tea and chatted for a while. Then Liu Shi stood up, ready to make her rounds.

Meanwhile, Xia Tian made a quick trip to Lingyun Pavilion. Mu Chen hadn’t returned yet, and Shen Nian had just gotten up and was eating breakfast.

Xia Tian hadn’t eaten yet either, so Shen Nian had a set of dishes brought for her. She ate a little while sitting with Shen Nian.

After the meal, she had Shen Nian dismiss the others and recounted everything that had just happened.