Chapter 340 – Ten Miles of Red Makeup (Thirteen)
Xu Ke asked, “Is there a problem with those two?”
Xun Mei nodded, “When I escaped from my hometown, I was still young, but I certainly remember my parents’ faces. Those two are complete strangers; how could they possibly be my parents? However, they did bring items belonging to my parents…”
Xun Mei sensed something was off and pretended to accept it, while the family exchanged some “whispers.”
She was told that her parents, along with her younger siblings, were all in the hands of those people. If she didn’t obey, they would die.
Conversely, if she complied, her family could enjoy a prosperous life.
Xun Mei was skeptical; she didn’t care much for that beast of a father, but she couldn’t abandon her mother and younger siblings.
“…I agree to act as their eyes and ears…” At this point, Xun Mei’s expression turned somewhat strange. “But that group only wanted me to keep an eye on the second mistress in the rear courtyard. If there was even the slightest unusual movement, I was to report it immediately…”
Such a bizarre instruction left Xun Mei utterly puzzled, but she obeyed and seriously monitored the second mistress for years. The other woman’s daily life consisted of reading, painting, needlework, sunbathing, admiring flowers, and playing around with her maidservants…
Xu Ke asked, “And what about Ta Xue?”
Which lunatic was watching the Liu family’s young lady?
The couple exchanged bewildered glances.
“I initially had no idea Ta Xue was also an insider, but both Ta Xue and I are the young master’s personal maidservants, and we often interacted. Gradually, I noticed her peculiar behavior. She seemed particularly concerned about that second mistress, and some of her actions were very suspicious…”
Xu Ke nodded, although…
“What exactly is so unusual about the second mistress that she’s being monitored by a foreign force?”
Xun Mei shook her head. “I don’t know either.”
Xu Ke: “…”
“Perhaps the reports were all rather similar, and the contact with me has dwindled…”
Well, who has the time to listen to a young girl’s daily life?
After hearing too much, it would naturally get boring.
“…Without them, I don’t even know the current situation of my mother and siblings. Helpless, I could only find ways to seek help from the house servants in the Liu residence who were doing business in Zhong Zhao. To my dismay, my father didn’t survive the drought, and my mother ultimately sold herself to a brothel just to keep my younger siblings alive. Such a tragic fate… my brother was killed by local bullies, and my sister met a terrible end… they’re all gone.”
In other words, that group had been deceiving Xun Mei all along!
Not long after Xun Mei received the true news from home, the fraudsters who had vanished for years reappeared.
“…Heh, I actually want to see what this group has up their sleeves, so I’ll just play along with them.” A flicker of murderous intent flashed in Xun Mei’s eyes as she coolly stated, “However, this time they didn’t care about the second mistress; they ordered me to keep an eye on the young master…”
Xu Ke pressed, “When did this happen?”
Xun Mei thought for a moment. “About three years ago, when the young master implemented grain rationing and was preparing to head to the capital.”
The change in orders made Xun Mei wary, and thinking of the late Madam’s kindness, she couldn’t harm Liu Xi.
“Besides watching the young master, were there any other commands?”
Xun Mei replied, “There is one, but I think it’s better that the husband doesn’t hear it.”
After hearing so much from Xun Mei, Xu Ke felt much less guarded in his heart.
At least, up to this point, Xun Mei hadn’t made a catastrophic mistake, and there was still room for redemption.
Thus, his tone became much lighter.
“What is it that makes you think the husband shouldn’t hear?”
Xun Mei secretly rolled her eyes. “Another instruction from the informant was to take advantage of the young master’s indecisiveness and lead him to act like a well-behaved young lady.”
Xu Ke looked dumbfounded. “No matter how charismatic the young master is, he is still a proper man. How could he possibly be molded into a young lady?”
Xun Mei smirked, “That’s why I told you it’s best not to listen too closely.”
Xu Ke: “…”
Still confused.
“…These various orders made me anxious, and I was thinking of retreating…”
While Xun Mei was playing along with those informants, she was also contemplating her escape route, then she met Xu Ke.
“…My original plan was to marry the husband and use the money I’ve saved over the years to redeem my two companions’ freedom, then escape far away…”
Before Xun Mei could finish, Xu Ke interrupted her.
“If you want to leave the Liu residence, you don’t necessarily need to marry…”
Xun Mei rolled her eyes. “Husband, you’re speaking so lightly. I’m a young lady; how could I walk alone in the outside world and be safe? I’m afraid I wouldn’t get far before some shady person sets their sights on me, selling me to some place I shouldn’t be…”
Xu Ke: “…”
“Moreover, there’s no need for the husband to belittle himself. Even if you bear the marks of past punishments, your appearance is outstanding among the house servants of the Liu residence. Not to mention your knowledge and eloquence. For any daughter from a good family, wouldn’t you be an excellent husband candidate?”
Xun Mei understood her own status; she wasn’t trying to reach for the stars, but she did want someone suitable for herself.
She first got close to Xu Ke urgently to escape the Liu residence, but later on, she truly wanted to marry him.
“So you warned me to be wary of Ta Xue… does that mean the orders from behind have changed again?”
Xun Mei sighed. “Perhaps it’s because I want to marry the husband too much; my actions were improper, drawing displeasure from those people…”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Ta Xue tested me a few times. Initially, it was just warnings, but her malice gradually increased. Up until just before the wedding, Ta Xue looked at me with eyes full of killing intent, as if staring at a dead person. This shows they couldn’t allow me to live any longer. She tested me several times, and I responded cautiously, which made her believe I was tight-lipped and hadn’t leaked their plans…”
At this point, Xun Mei chuckled scornfully.
Ta Xue thought she was covering her tracks well, but Xun Mei gradually figured it out—perhaps the young master had already detected something unusual.
Not to mention, when the young master went to Langya to study, she initially wanted to go along, but the young master spoke strangely at that time, leaving her behind in Hejian County, even suggesting that if she wanted to pursue Xu Ke, it would be better to deal with those around him first and earn their favor…
Thus, Xun Mei stayed behind, while the young master took Ta Xue with him.
Looking back now, Xun Mei couldn’t help but start to doubt…
Was the young master doing this to protect her?
After all, if she and Ta Xue hadn’t separated, it would only be a matter of time before something unfortunate occurred.
What a pity, Ta Xue had never perceived this.
“Ta Xue harbors murderous intentions toward me. It seems… husband may soon become a widower…”
Upon hearing this, Xu Ke’s face immediately darkened as he pulled Xun Mei into a tight embrace.
Lightly and reproachfully, he scolded, “Why are you saying such ominous things!”
Xun Mei smiled joyfully, resting her head on his shoulder. “Will you remember me when that time comes, husband?”
“I won’t become a widower; you still have to be a mother!”
With that, the couple covered themselves with a blanket, causing a passionate surge within the room.
As the storm passed, Xu Ke got up, washed with warm water, and changed into his usual attire.
“You rest first. I’ll go seek out the young master for some advice; this matter cannot be delayed.”
Xun Mei nestled under the blankets, propping up her chin. “Cannot delay? Then why were you just being so unserious?”
Xu Ke turned his head and shot her a glare, but unfortunately, it failed to intimidate her.
