Immеdiаtеly, Fan Qi аlsо rеаlizеd the problеm.
Wiрing sweat frоm his forehеаd, hе аskеd Zhоu Shaojin, "Sеcond Miss, what should we dо? Whаt should wе do?"
Withоut аnу hаtred оr grudgе, thеу hаd aсtually cоmе to sоmeone еlse's housе to set а firе—аnd tо а fаmilу connесted bу mаrriаge аt that. If thеу were саught, how сould they рossibly handlе it?
Zhоu Shаojin didn’t knоw what to do еithеr.
Аcсоrding tо hеr оriginаl plаn, thеy wоuld quietlу set the firе and thеn quiеtlу return, withоut аnуоne knowing, waiting оnly for the Cheng fаmily elders tо discovеr the рrоblems in thе Fifth Branch and rectify them...
But now, they were trapped here!
She asked Fan Qi, "Can we go back another way?"
She had only been to the Fifth Branch a couple of times in total and was completely unfamiliar with the layout.
Fan Qi was on the verge of tears.
He had only been in Nine Prosperities Lane for a few days—how could he dare to wander around casually? If it weren’t for Zhou Shaojin’s orders, and the fact that the Fifth Branch was the weakest among the Cheng family branches, with servants who didn’t pay much attention, he wouldn’t have dared to stroll around the Fifth Branch even if he had the courage of a bear or a leopard!
As for the First and Second Branches, he only dared to circle around the outside. Before getting familiar with the servants of those branches, he absolutely wouldn’t dare to wander around casually.
But since Zhou Shaojin had asked, he couldn’t just say he didn’t know!
"Second Miss," he said, his voice trembling slightly, "we can only head south. There’s a path that leads to the West Servants’ Quarters..."
In all of Nine Prosperities Lane, there were two servants’ quarters: one in the northwest, near the Fifth Branch, and one in the east, near the Third Branch, where the servants lived. However, the West Servants’ Quarters differed somewhat from the East Servants’ Quarters. In this world, the east has always been regarded as the superior direction, and the Cheng family school was originally set up in a section carved out from the East Servants’ Quarters. Adjacent to the East Servants’ Quarters, those who lived there were either prominent, capable stewards who could manage affairs independently, or accountants and attendants. In contrast, the West Servants’ Quarters were far more complex—nannies with influence from each branch, minor stewards from generations of hereditary servants who never managed to rise above their station, young masters’ personal attendants, coachmen, grooms... a motley crew, like a large, chaotic courtyard.
"No!" Madam Fan Liu interjected before Fan Qi could finish. "How can we lead the young lady to the outer courtyard? The night patrols in the outer courtyard are all guards, not like our inner courtyard—they’re much more formidable! Besides, getting to the West Servants’ Quarters means crossing the entire Fifth Branch. What if we’re discovered along the way? Even if we make it to the West Servants’ Quarters without incident, that place has all sorts of people. The moment we show our faces, everyone in Nine Prosperities Lane will know by tomorrow. In the dead of night, we suddenly appear there, and the Fifth Branch catches fire... How are we supposed to explain that to the Cheng family elders?"
Many families had lost their ancestral properties to fires, ending up bankrupt.
That’s why wealthy households always kept large water vats under their eaves—specifically for fire prevention.
"Then... then what should we do?" Fan Qi asked.
Everyone’s gaze fell on Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin’s palms were sweating profusely.
Since she had started this matter, she couldn’t abandon responsibility at a critical moment...
Hesitantly, she suggested, "What if... we try to make our way to Tranquil Study?"
The small garden of the Fifth Branch’s inner residence faced the Cheng family’s main garden across the water, connected by a stone-paved zigzag bridge.
As long as they reached Tranquil Study, she could avoid the night patrols and lead everyone back to Fragrant Garden Residence, no matter which route they took.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward the dark, still surface of the lake.
The zigzag bridge was faintly visible in the gloom.Shi Xiang couldn't help but remark, "If only the moon weren't so bright tonight!"
Without moonlight, the other side would be completely invisible.
When they came, they complained the moonlight was too dim; now that they needed to escape, they found it too bright.
In the end, it all came down to underestimating the situation.
Zhou Shaojin sighed.
A flurry of footsteps approached and stopped on the path not far from them.
"The leader from the Fourth House, what's your name? Take your people and go fight the fire," Steward Qin's authoritative voice rang out again, commanding with calm composure. "The rest of you, go see what's happening at the Water Pavilion."
A chorus of affirmations followed, and the group hurried toward the Water Pavilion.
Steward Qin remained standing on the path with two others.
Shouldn't he have gone to check on the people in the Water Pavilion himself?
Zhou Shaojin grumbled inwardly, unable to resist turning her head slightly to look.
Under the firelight, Steward Qin's rugged face was visible. He wore a Hangzhou silk robe with a cloth belt around his waist, his tall and robust frame making him appear not only shrewd and capable but also clearly strong and formidable.
In Zhou Shaojin's mind, stewards should be like Ma Fushan, always wearing a smile even when silent.
She couldn't help but wonder.
Where did this man come from?
Who would have thought the Cheng family had such a steward?
Everyone called him "Steward Qin"—could he be related to Chief Steward Qin Shouyue?
Zhou Shaojin hunched her shoulders, a flicker of fear rising in her heart.
They needed to find a way to leave quickly.
If Chief Steward Qin discovered them, things might turn out worse than she imagined.
But with Chief Steward Qin so close, she dared not move.
Fortunately, those sent to inspect the Water Pavilion soon returned: "Steward Qin, it's Second Master Yi from the Fourth House, Master Nuo and Master Ju from the Fifth House, along with some classmates, gambling there. As for how the fire started, they don't know either."
"Gambling?" Zhou Shaojin heard Steward Qin sneer. "Just say the arsonist hasn't been found yet and might still be lurking in the inner courtyard. To avoid any danger to the young masters, please have them rest temporarily in Master Nuo's room in the Fifth House and refrain from moving around. They can disperse at dawn." He then said to the two lantern-bearers beside him, "Let's go take a look. The Fourth House noticed the fire, but the Fifth House shows no sign of activity. It seems the Fifth House's internal affairs are quite chaotic..."
A few people followed Chief Steward Qin toward the Water Pavilion.
Zhou Shaojin nearly uttered a prayer of relief.
If only all the Cheng family elders thought this way.
She felt this Chief Steward Qin, though rough in appearance, was quite sharp-minded.
Still, they couldn't stay here any longer.
Chief Steward Qin was so formidable—he might turn back and search for them at any moment...
Zhou Shaojin said in a low voice, "Mama Fan. Let's cross over via the Nine-Bend Bridge... Once we reach Jing'an Study, they won't be able to do anything to us... That's the Fourth House's territory. If we hide somewhere, they won't be able to find us before dawn."
By dawn, Chief Steward Qin would surely have to report to the Cheng family elders.
Without him present, Zhou Shaojin felt their chances of escape were much higher.Everyone heard Steward Qin's words and agreed that staying there was too dangerous. Returning to a familiar environment felt safer, and they couldn't think of a better plan... They all nodded in agreement.
Fan Qi led the way, with Zhou Shaojin following closely behind. The group quietly slipped out from under the willow trees.
Fortunately, the gardens in Jiangnan emphasized winding paths and secluded streams.
They deliberately sought out quiet spots as they stealthily made their way toward the Nine-Bend Railing Bridge.
By now, the fire had been extinguished, and the Fifth House had finally reacted. Night patrols rushed over in confusion, inadvertently masking the figures of Zhou Shaojin and the others.
Gazing at the Nine-Bend Railing Bridge ahead, Zhou Shaojin and the others broke into relieved smiles.
"Let's run across quickly," Zhou Shaojin said. "Even if Steward Qin discovers us, we'll be like fish returning to the sea—impossible to find."
Fan Qi and the others nodded repeatedly.
Zhou Shaojin and her companions dashed onto the Nine-Bend Railing Bridge.
But just as they had run halfway across, they were spotted—a man's startled cry came from the Water Pavilion: "Steward Qin, look over there!"
It's over. It's over!
Zhou Shaojin's heart sank, but she knew that if she kept running, there was still a chance to escape. If she stopped, capture would be the only outcome.
"Run!" she shouted to Madam Fan Liu and the others behind her, quickening her own pace.
But just as they were about to cross the Nine-Bend Railing Bridge, Steward Qin had already led his men to its edge.
Torchlight flooded the area, exposing their figures.
Steward Qin coldly shouted, "They're women! Capture them alive!"
Hearing this, Zhou Shaojin's legs went weak, and she stumbled. If not for Madam Fan Liu's quick reflexes behind her, she would have fallen to the ground.
"Hurry!" Zhou Shaojin cried, her body feeling as if it had plunged into an icy abyss.
Fan Qi, disregarding everything else, turned back to support Zhou Shaojin and plunged headlong into the bamboo grove of Jing'an Study.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and ran toward Fragrant Garden Residence.
Listening to the increasingly chaotic sounds behind her, Zhou Shaojin made a bold decision: "Let's head toward Cold Green Mountain House."
Old Madam Guo lived there. No matter how bold they were, they wouldn't dare barge in recklessly.
As long as she wasn't caught red-handed by Chief Steward Qin, she could take the initiative to confess to Old Madam Guo. Even if she were punished by Old Madam Guo, despised by the Cheng family elders, or even expelled from the Cheng family and her reputation ruined, it would still be better than being grabbed and manhandled by those men...
Madam Fan Liu and the others, however, assumed Zhou Shaojin was confident that Old Madam Guo would intervene to save them. Their faces lit up with joy, and without a second thought, they followed Zhou Shaojin toward Cold Green Mountain House.
Sure enough, the chaotic sounds behind them gradually faded away.
Zhou Shaojin secretly rejoiced.
But suddenly, a warm yet slightly mocking voice came from ahead: "Who goes there? Roaming around in the woods in the middle of the night—aren't you afraid of running into robbers or bandits?"
Zhou Shaojin froze in terror, her mind blank, unable to react for a long moment.
When she finally regained her senses, she noticed a dim melon-shaped lantern hanging from a tree branch in the woods. A young man was sitting at a stone table beneath the lantern, sipping tea, with two attendants standing behind him, their features hazy and indistinct.
Cold sweat drenched Zhou Shaojin.
She had seen clearly earlier—this area was pitch black without a single glimmer of light. How could a man drinking tea suddenly appear? And that lantern—who would hang it so high for no reason? What did they use to hang it? Was there even a bamboo pole that tall?Could it be... that she had encountered a ghost?
Zhou Shaojin wanted to scream shrilly.
But her throat only made gurgling sounds—she was so terrified she couldn’t even utter a cry.
The man, however, leisurely beckoned to her: “Come, come help me brew a cup of tea!”
Brew tea?
Zhou Shaojin widened her eyes.
At this moment? In this place? Brew tea? With what?
She couldn’t help but glance around the man.
Beside the stone table, there was only the stone stool he was sitting on—nothing else!
How could she brew tea?
Where did the tea in his hand come from?
※
Sisters, you’re casting pink votes quickly, but I’m updating just as fast!
Tomorrow it’ll be 180 votes...
o(n_n)o haha~
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, please cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
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