Chapter 18: Return to the General’s Residence

As expected, whatever you fear will inevitably come to pass.

Because she had just entered the palace the day before, Qiao Qingyun received an imperial decree early in the morning.

It was only after holding the decree in her hands for a long while that Qiao Qingyun finally emerged from her confusion; indeed, everything she had just done had been carried out purely by muscle memory.

“My lady, are you all right?” Qingluo looked at Qiao Qingyun with some hesitation, noticing her pallor and voicing her concern.

The woman shook her head, took a sip of clear tea, and gathered her thoughts. “So, starting today, I can live at the Qiao residence again?”

Upon hearing this, Qingluo nodded, stepped tentatively to Qiao Qingyun’s side, and gently squeezed her delicate shoulders. “Does my lady wish to return home?”

“It is only fitting. These days, there are family matters that must be attended to,” Qiao Qingyun replied, a cold light flickering in her eyes. If she did not root out the traitors in her household, would disaster not surely strike in the future?

At her words, Qingluo immediately turned to make preparations. Before long, the two of them set out together on the road back to the Qiao residence.

In years past, the Qiao residence had been a place of some renown. The great General Qiao’s distinguished service was still the subject of admiration throughout the capital.

But times change and the world grows cold; once Old General Qiao’s funeral was over, Qiao Qingyun was to be married to Yuan Zaichun.

Standing before the gates of her family home, Qiao Qingyun lingered, not moving to enter. Qingluo took note of her shifting expression.

“My lady, is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing. Knock,” Qiao Qingyun replied.

“Yes, my lady.”

Qingluo obeyed, rapping upon the door. Soon enough, an impatient voice sounded from within.

“Who is it? Knocking and knocking—what, are you in a hurry for someone’s life?”

With that, the doors swung open, and Qiao Qingyun strode forward and delivered a resounding slap.

The sharp crack left even Qingluo, standing beside her, momentarily stunned.

Indeed, the one who had come to greet them was a maid, but her manner was insufferably arrogant.

Qiao Qingyun’s face was cold as she regarded the maid clutching her cheek before her. “You were indulged before, but now that my father is gone, you dare to throw your weight around? I’d like to see just whose authority you think you’re wielding!”

Her icy rebuke drew out the other servants, who had been lazily playing chess and cards, emboldened by the absence of a master in the house.

Now, seeing Qiao Qingyun suddenly return, all their pleasant dreams were shattered.

“You—you’re the young lady?” stammered the maid, shrinking back, her hand pressed to her face.

Supported by Qingluo, Qiao Qingyun’s bearing became all the more graceful. “Or are you the mistress here now? Have you all set yourselves up as masters?”

Her gaze swept across the assembled servants. Sure enough, the most destitute-looking among them, his hair and beard already white, was instantly recognizable to Qiao Qingyun.

“Uncle Li, you are the steward of this house. Who dares treat you this way? All of you, out! And don’t even think of settling accounts for money—if you want it, go make trouble at the Crown Prince’s residence instead!”

Without hesitation, Qiao Qingyun strode into the house.

Uncle Li’s eyes brimmed with tears, lending his worn face an even more sorrowful air.

He had served General Qiao for so many years, always following orders, never imagining that after the general’s death, he would be treated so.

“All of you, leave. Any of you seen by the young lady—go now,” Uncle Li said quietly with a wave of his hand. The servants dared not protest; they could only go pack their things and make a hasty escape.

In truth, they hadn’t truly wished to stay, but General Qiao’s estate was substantial, and they often pressured the steward for money. Though it was only a few dozen taels in all, they could not let Qiao Qingyun discover it.

Now that she had ordered them gone, they did not hesitate to flee.

As one by one the servants departed, Uncle Li, unsteady on his feet, made his way to Qiao Qingyun. He was about to bow when Qiao Qingyun caught him by the arm.

Now was the time to win people’s loyalty.

“Uncle Li, you watched me grow up—you’re old enough to be my grandfather. There’s no need for such formality. Tell me, how much of my father’s silver remains?”

Uncle Li nodded, took a moment to compose himself, and replied, “There is still thirteen million taels.”

“So much!” Qiao Qingyun was astonished; she had not expected General Qiao to leave her such a fortune.

“Yes, the general said it was to be your dowry someday.”

As he spoke, tears threatened to fall again. Qiao Qingyun, moved with compassion, quickly waved her hand. “Uncle Li, please don’t cry. My father is gone, but he was murdered. You must be exceedingly careful from now on.”

Uncle Li nodded solemnly at her warning.

Just then, two brightly dressed maids hurried out—one carrying hot tea, the other holding pastries. They approached Qiao Qingyun with great cheer.

At a glance, Qiao Qingyun knew these must be the personal maids she’d heard of in the past. Their clothes were nearly as fine as her own.

Yet something seemed off about their demeanor.

Others in the household were surely surprised by her return, since the imperial decree had not yet circulated—there should have been those who were unaware. But these two acted as if they had known all along.

“My lady, please try these—your favorite pastries from before,” said the maid in red, who deliberately shoved Qingluo aside as she spoke, making Qiao Qingyun frown in displeasure. “Insolence.”

“My lady…” The two maids froze, hands suspended in midair, at a loss for what to do.

Qiao Qingyun glanced at Qingluo and waved her over. “Are you hurt?”

Qingluo’s eyes filled with tears; she said nothing, allowing Qiao Qingyun to take her hand and inspect the cut she had just received.

“Uncle Li, have these two thrown out. They are ignorant of their place, injuring my personal maid. As I see it, a beating would suffice.”

Uncle Li was a ruthless sort; even at her mention of a beating, he did not bat an eye. He was about to give the order when the two maids dropped to their knees in terror.

“My lady, we are your personal maids—I am Hongying, and she is Lvxiu. We grew up by your side.”

While accepting the bandages from Uncle Li and tending to Qingluo’s wound, Qiao Qingyun regarded the two so-called childhood companions with a cold gaze.

“Yet when my father and I were being hunted, you two ran faster than anyone. Or perhaps you were off warning the enemy?”

With that single sentence, Qiao Qingyun silenced Hongying and Lvxiu’s sobs.

They had once worried their treachery would be exposed, but had not expected it to happen so soon.

Uncle Li, seeing their reaction, was so angry that tears streamed down his face. “What did the general ever do to wrong you? Answer me!”