Volume 1, Chapter 49: Searching the Marquis's Estate—Let's See Who Dares

Bright firelight illuminated the courtyard as a group of the Marquis's guards tightly surrounded the Ruyi Courtyard. The lead guard with a sabre raised his foot to barge inside, only for an arrow to fly out of thin air, embedding itself precisely right beneath his feet.

"Audacious! This is the quarters of the Heir's Consort! How dare you trespass!" Guard Jiang stood atop the steps, his long bow already drawn once more. The arrow was nocked, awaiting nothing more than for that man to dare take another step, which would certainly cause him to bleed before retreating.

Startled by the sudden onslaught of the arrow, the guard immediately withdrew his foot. They were acting under the command of the Marquis of Chengen to search every corner of the residence, and if they failed to obey, they feared the Marquis's wrath.

However...

The Heir's Consort was indeed a difficult person to provoke.

"Guard Jiang, a thief has roamed the Marquis of Chengen's estate at night. We are also entrusted by the Lord Marquis to investigate specifically in order to protect the safety of the Heir's Consort," the guard first greeted respectfully.

Yet seeing that Jiang Chao showed no intention of putting away his bow and arrow, the guard's expression shifted the next second, and he issued a grim, chilling threat: "If Guard Jiang insists on blocking us and refuses to let us in to search, could it be... that you are colluding with this thief?"

"Hmph, the safety of the Heir's Consort is guarded by us naturally; what need is there for third-rate fellows like you?" The sarcasm in Jiang Chao's tone was evident. These men had returned from bloody battles on the battlefield; compared to those in the Marquis's estate who merely practiced martial arts, they were a hundred times stronger.

"Then please have the Heir's Consort come out for a moment." Just as the few were deadlocked, the Marquis of Chengen suddenly appeared from behind, and the guards of the estate immediately cleared a path.

Jiang Chao and Cailiu exchanged glances. Cailiu turned aside and retreated back into the room, leaving Jiang Chao alone outside.

All around, the guards of the General Zhenyuan's Mansion were already fully attired, standing in the courtyard without yielding a single step.

"Lord Marquis, our Heir's Consort has already retired for the night. Having these men barge in the middle of the night—I'm afraid that is hardly proper," spoke Mother Wang first, standing at the side. Being advanced in years and having watched Xie Shu grow up since childhood, she did not cower even before General Zhenyuan himself, let alone this powerless Marquis.

Chided by an old crone, the Marquis of Chengen's complexion instantly darkened. Under the heavy night sky, his face looked even more ashen and gloomy. He took two steps forward, his wide sleeves fluttering with his stride, and demanded aggressively: "What kind of thing are you, daring to speak to this Marquis!"

"Men, seize them all for this Marquis! Search the Ruyi Courtyard immediately!" The Marquis of Chengen had lost something—something he had carefully and cautiously hidden for many years, fearing it would bring execution to his entire clan, yet clinging to a sliver of delusion and greed that prevented him from destroying it all this time.

Yet, this item was lost.

Now, only the Ruyi Courtyard remained unsearched, and the guards had clearly caught sight of a figure flashing by and entering this very Ruyi Courtyard.

The Marquis was burning with anxiety. When he first entered, not seeing Xie Shu had already made him feel suspicious. With such a great commotion, even if she slept like a log, she ought to have woken up.

Unless... she did it on purpose.

At his command, the estate guards simultaneously drew their sabres and rushed toward the rooms.

"Let me see who dares!"

Suddenly, the wooden door behind Jiang Chao was pushed open. Xie Shu, clad in a plain sleep robe with her hands crossed over her chest, stood with a burning gaze, her voice ringing out like thunder.

Cailiu hurried after her, hastily draping a rabbit-fur cloak over Xie Shu's shoulders. "My lady, slow down, mind the cold."

With unkempt clothes and a bare, unadorned face, her cascading hair draped loosely over her shoulders, with a few stray wisps fluttering by her temples, she looked as though she had just woken up and rushed over in a flurry without time to tidy herself.

"Lord Marquis, breaking into your daughter-in-law's chambers in the middle of the night—do you not feel this is a loss of decorum?" Xie Shu pressed down on the bow in Jiang Chao's hand. "Put it away. After all, the Lord Marquis and I are family; why resort to drawn swords?"

"If we are family, then the Heir's Consort should naturally understand. A thief has broken into the estate, and no doubt harbors ulterior motives. Tonight, if we cannot capture this person, I fear none of us in the Marquis's estate will sleep in peace hereafter." The Marquis of Chengen raised his right palm, fingers pointing upward, and gestured a beckoning wave to the guards behind him, instantly halting those who intended to force their way in.

"Catching a thief is naturally a major matter. But the Lord Marquis is far too impatient. These guards are making quite a racket; it matters little if I am disturbed. However... what if Lady Lin is startled? What shall we do then? The physician explicitly stated that Lady Lin requires quiet recuperation."

Xie Shu gathered the cloak around her shoulders. The night wind was heavy; she exhaled a breath into her palms before questioning the Marquis of Chengen, "Why don't I have Lady Lin invited out first, so as not to frighten her when the search begins later?"

Mention of Lady Lin slightly softened the Marquis's expression, given that he still pinned his hopes on the child in her belly.

"Very well." The Marquis nodded.

Xie Shu instructed Cailiu, "Go and invite Lady Lin out. It is chilly tonight, so make sure she is dressed warmly."

Cailiu acknowledged with a soft assent and turned to head toward the side courtyard.

The Marquis of Chengen immediately cast a sideways glance at a small guard behind him. The young guard sheathed his sabre and followed closely behind Cailiu.

Seeing this, Xie Shu remained silent. Following along with a single junior guard was of no consequence. In this household, no one was unaware of how deeply the Marquis cared for the child in Lady Lin's womb.

The courtyard was brightly lit, tree shadows danced, and the two factions glared at each other, neither side yielding an inch.

"Heir's Consort, have some hot tea to warm up." Mother Wang considerately handed a cup of tea to Xie Shu, placed a chair for her to sit on, and went inside to fetch a blanket to drape over her knees.

Conversely, the Marquis of Chengen stood alone in the center, with neither a seat nor anyone to wait upon him, looking somewhat desolate.

A guard beside him stealthily observed the Marquis's expression and could not help stepping forward to ask, "Lord Marquis, would you care for some tea?"

"Drink my foot!" The Marquis of Chengen heavily smacked the back of the guard's head. Not a single proper thing done all day long, incapable of even catching a thief, yet adept at bootlicking!

Before long, Lin Wan'er was escorted out.

"Lord Marquis, what has happened?" Lin Wan'er wore a light blue brocade-embroidered quilted jacket with dark patterns, layered outside with a goose-yellow knee-length cloak, and held a hand warmer. Cailiu half-supported her arm, and Goodwife Li followed close behind.

Seeing that the attendants were quite respectful toward Lin Wan'er, the Marquis of Chengen took a glance and knew that Xie Shu had indeed treated her rather well, as even the flesh on her face looked somewhat fuller.

"Nothing more than a trivial matter. You are in a delicate condition; there is no need to worry about this." Seeing that Lin Wan'er was about to pay her respects, the Marquis stepped forward and steadied her.

Cailiu brought over an armchair. Just as the Marquis lifted the hem of his robe and prepared to sit down, he heard a voice: "Lady Lin, please take a seat and wait."

The Marquis's motion halted abruptly, leaving him awkwardly frozen in place.

Seeing this, Lady Lin quickly said, "Lord Marquis, please rest a moment."

Indeed, his Wan'er still had a sense of propriety.

However, Cailiu held no regard for the Marquis of Chengen. He was a grown man; what harm was there in standing a little longer?

"Lady Lin, you should rest first. You couldn't sleep well during the day, and now you've been woken up in the middle of the night. I'm afraid if you exhaust yourself, what will happen to the young master in your belly?" Cailiu hurriedly interrupted Lady Lin's words and firmly pressed her down into the armchair.

At this moment, the Marquis could neither stand nor sit. He could only wave his hand in frustration and issue an order to the surrounding guards: "What are you standing around for? Go search!"

"Understood!" A group of men rushed into the courtyard.

Xie Shu was in no hurry, maintaining a leisurely and relaxed demeanor while letting Mother Wang massage her shoulders as she sipped tea and rested.

When those guards began wantonly ransacking the rooms, occasionally producing the sounds of items being knocked over and shattered, Xie Shu finally put down her teacup, let out an "Oh" of surprise toward the Marquis, and said, "I almost forgot to remind you. In my chambers are silks and satins, gold and silver jewelry, and vases and ornaments bestowed personally by His Majesty. If these are broken, the Lord Marquis will have to compensate me with an exact duplicate!"

General Zhenyuan had already been a First-Rank Great General of Great Yan ten years ago, leaving him with no higher titles to be conferred and no further rewards to be granted. Consequently, every time he accomplished a feat, the Emperor would wave his hand generously and bestow even more gold, silks, and coral ornaments upon the Xie family.

This only made the already wealthy Xie family even wealthier.

Although imperial bestowment items were not meant to be casually bought or sold, if they were smashed or lost, well... that was another matter entirely.

"Clatter—"

Another sound of shattering cups rang out from inside the room.