Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Tianshan Snow Lotus

Finally, under the eager eyes of the three, Xiao Yuanyi took the heavy bunch of keys. Even though they pressed down on her burnt fingers, she felt no pain at all.

“What do you mean by saying my mother will come?”

“Miss, please don’t blame us. It was that old shrew who warned us not to tell you. Our contracts are in her hands; we really had no choice,” Yun Jin cautiously observed Xiao Yuanyi’s expression.

“Hm, let bygones be bygones. Speak.”

Yun Jin and Xia Guang were skilled fighters. If things got too ugly, it might come to a deadly confrontation, but there would be plenty of chances to deal with them later.

The two instantly showered her with thanks and exchanged triumphant glances. Now that their lady was in a difficult situation, she would inevitably have to rely on them. Compared to the stingy Madam Liu, perhaps they could extract more from her.

“Miss, you don’t know. Half a month ago, the princess sent a letter. They have already set off for Dingzhou, apparently to apologize to the Lou family.”

“Is Xiao Baopan coming too?” Xiao Yuanyi gripped the edge of the table tightly.

“That I don’t know. I only know the princess and the heir are among them.”

But Xiao Yuanyi had a premonition—she would come.

She had destroyed her once; that wasn’t enough. Now she would come to gloat.

“Miss… this Lou family has bullied you excessively. You’ve suffered so much here. The prince and princess are coming this once; you must make them stand up for you.”

Si Rui, fearful that Xiao Yuanyi might forget her, immediately offered advice, blaming all of Xiao Yuanyi’s suffering over the past month on the Lou family.

Yet she clearly didn’t understand what this apology meant, still thinking they, as royal relatives, were superior.

In the end, it was merely the emperor’s stance. No matter how unwilling the Lou family was, they had no choice but to accept the apology, entertain the guests politely, and send them off graciously.

As for her, as long as she wasn’t dead, her parents would instruct her to serve her husband and mother-in-law dutifully and pay respects at the Grand General’s tomb.

It was all just a performance for the world to see.

Still, Xiao Yuanyi harbored hope, longing for her parents to arrange a good ending for her. Status didn’t matter; she just wanted to leave the Lou family alive.

“It seems the Rainbow Sword was stolen by Madam Liu. You three take her back to her room and search carefully. If you can’t find it, Long Yu, you must find the gatekeeper and make sure he redeems the Rainbow Sword and the bracelet.”

“Yes,” they answered in unison.

Naturally, the sword was not found in Madam Liu’s room. Xiao Yuanyi then had Yun Jin and Xia Guang open the storehouse to check what was missing from the inventory.

Si Rui had wanted to follow Long Yu to ingratiate herself, but Xiao Yuanyi diverted her with other tasks.

By afternoon, Long Yu returned carrying a brocade box.

Xiao Yuanyi immediately took the Rainbow Sword and bracelet and left.

The Ninth Young Master had not yet returned home. They first went to the Tenth Miss’s courtyard, unsurprisingly barred at the gate.

The doctor feared she might run away, making it hard to report to the emperor, so they found an excuse to confine her in the Lou residence.

They had not placed her under house arrest, probably thinking she didn’t dare to leave Qingyuan.

If not for Yun Jin and Xia Guang accompanying her, she indeed wouldn’t dare go out again.

Her parents’ coming had clearly been a great help; otherwise, the keys wouldn’t have come back into her hands so easily, nor would these two’s temporary submission.

“Miss, what should we do now?”

Long Yu’s joy dimmed. Though things were better with the prince and princess here, what about after?

“I won’t seek perfection, only a clear conscience.”

Xiao Yuanyi set down the brocade box containing the bracelet and carefully examined the courtyard’s distinct style.

Having been in the Lou residence for so long, this was the first time she noticed the difference between the borderlands and Yanjing.

Yanjing was comfortable and prosperous; the breeze carried the scent of pastries and the fragrance of women’s makeup.

Dingzhou was gray and dusty; the wind smelled of sand and sometimes livestock. The buildings were sturdy and defensive, mostly dull and oppressive, evoking a sense of dread.

She disliked this place and was determined to leave it.

She detoured to the Ninth Young Master’s courtyard but was also turned away. The gate servant looked at her with hostility; if not for fear of her parents, he might have acted violently.

“There was a misunderstanding during morning tea; a servant carelessly lost the Rainbow Sword. Now that it’s found, we bring it to the Ninth Young Master.”

“Hypocrites! Take your things and leave!”

“You!” Long Yu stepped forward. Now that Miss was recognized as the Seventh Young Mistress, at least speak politely.

Xiao Yuanyi pulled her back, shaking her head.

Just as she was about to put down the box and leave, Lou Hejing and Lou Siyuan returned.

“Eighth Young Master, what happened to you?” a servant hurried to support him.

Lou Siyuan had a shoulder wound, hastily bandaged, but the blood-stained collar showed the injury was serious.

“Just an ambush. Those Northern Di are a bunch of rats!” Lou Siyuan looked resentful, then saw Xiao Yuanyi.

Suddenly, he sneered with disdain. “Isn’t it ironic? This morning someone sent a broken sword, and I was injured right after. If not for Seventh Brother arriving in time, I might have died there.”

Lou Hejing frowned. “If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll send you back to the capital.”

Lou Siyuan looked aggrieved, then noticed the brocade box in Long Yu’s hand and knowingly asked, “What is the Seventh Young Mistress doing here?”

Having already said it once, Xiao Yuanyi found it hard to answer again. The odd tone of this title made her uncomfortable.

“…It seems bringing a sword is unlucky. I have some herbs. Ninth Brother, if you need them, just ask.”

Lou Siyuan’s eyes reddened with anger at the mention of Ninth Brother. He hadn’t wanted anything from the Xiao family but now had other ideas.

“Seventh Young Mistress, thank you for your intention. I want the Tianshan Snow Lotus. Will you give it to me?”

The Tianshan Snow Lotus, from a remote southwestern kingdom, was said to be miraculous for external injuries and extremely precious. Only a few specimens entered Nanxiao as tribute.

She happened to have one, passed down from her late maternal grandfather as a life-saving talisman.

“I will fetch it immediately.”

Long Yu’s eyes widened. Such a precious item, even Old Master Jiang had never dared to use it.

Lou Siyuan merely sneered. This pampered noble lady probably didn’t even know what the Tianshan Snow Lotus was. Even if she had it, once she learned its value, she wouldn’t part with it.

Lou Hejing showed no expression, not even glancing at Xiao Yuanyi, and dragged Lou Siyuan inside like a child.

Xiao Yuanyi turned to leave. Long Yu couldn’t help but advise, “Miss, the Tianshan Snow Lotus is too precious. With the Eighth Young Master’s injury, he won’t need it. He’s just making an unreasonable demand. Don’t let him rile you.”

Yun Jin and Xia Guang nodded in agreement, secretly thinking Xiao Yuanyi was foolish.

“I know. Let it be a way to atone.”

If she gave the lotus to Lou Siyuan, he wouldn’t use it; it would eventually end up with the matron.

Her eldest brother had caused the deaths of two in the Lou family, an undeniable fact. Born into wealth, she might never suffer injury in her life. If not for Lou Siyuan’s words, she might have even forgotten.

But the Lou family had risked their lives for Nanxiao’s kingdom. Giving them the lotus would be putting it to good use.

She imagined her maternal grandfather, who once sought to crush the Northern Di, would agree as well.