Lady, Wait - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Only later did I learn that Master Xiao had recognized me because my master had already sent word to him-and even mailed him a portrait of me.

It seemed my master did care about me, at least a little.

The poison in my body was truly troublesome. It would take at least two full years to purge completely.

During that time, the rare and precious medicines I needed were countless.

Left with no choice, I could only stay with the Xiao Family.

“Yuan Xiaodao, come on. Come fly a kite with this young master.”

I was sunning myself in the courtyard, eating candied fruit, and far too lazy to move.

That little brat Xiao Yue insisted on dragging me out.

I kicked him flat onto the ground and glared at him. “Have some respect. Call me sister-in-law!”

Xiao Yue lunged at me and hit me, knocking me off the reclining chair. Furious, he said, “My eldest brother is an extraordinary man. How could he possibly take a fancy to a crude woman like you? Once he comes back, the first thing he’ll do is break off the engagement with you.”

Pinned beneath him, my chest felt stuffy, so I casually tugged at my clothes.

Everything about the Xiao Family was fine except for all their rules. Wearing silk and satin all day made me feel tied up from head to toe.

“Get lost, get lost.” I impatiently patted Xiao Yue’s face, then lay there on the scorching stone slabs, not wanting to move.

The Cold Poison was acting up, and my whole body felt awful.

For some reason, Xiao Yue actually blushed. Then he rolled away and ran off.

He was a complete wastrel from a wealthy family. The Four Books and Five Classics, music, chess, calligraphy, painting-I had never seen him touch any of them. All he did every day was rack his brains for ways to sneak out and play.

“I heard your eldest brother is going to enter officialdom someday. Why are you so idle all day, with no ambition at all?” I once asked him.

Xiao Yue only gave a light snort. “What would a woman of the jianghu like you know? The Xiao Family only needs my brother. That’s enough.”

I really did not understand all the twists and turns of these noble families. I only hoped Master Xiao would hurry up and gather the last medicinal ingredient for me so I could make my escape.

After being trapped in the Xiao Family for a full two years, even my saber was about to rust.

Some time later, news finally came from Master Xiao.

He summoned me to his study, handed me a letter, and said kindly, “Xiao Dao, the medicine you need is in Jizhou. An old friend of mine happens to have it. Take this letter and go find him. He will give it to you. And bring this silver with you as well.”

“Thank you, Master Xiao!” I was overjoyed. While I was at it, I handed him the engagement jade pendant and said sincerely, “Eldest Young Master Xiao is going to become a high official someday. I absolutely cannot hold back his future. Master, I’m calling off this marriage. This is where we part ways.”

“That jade pendant was the token of affection between your master and me back then,” Master Xiao suddenly said with a sigh. “Keep it.”

I was stunned when I heard that. My master and the old master actually had a past like that!

Master Xiao then said, “Take Ah Yue with you. He happens to find staying at home all day dreadfully boring.”

It was not as if I was stupid!

If I took a young master like Xiao Yue with me, would I ever have another peaceful day?

That very night, I packed my bundle and left. But to my surprise, after I rode out of the city, a voice came from behind me.

“Yuan Xiaodao! You wretched woman! Don’t even think about abandoning this young master. My father told me to follow you to Jizhou and visit my Uncle Qi.”

I turned my head and saw that Xiao Yue had actually ridden after me.

I ignored him. He followed me for three days and two nights.

After Xiao Yue spent all the silver he had brought, he came rummaging through my bundle.

As he rummaged, his expression changed.

I leaned over to look and saw two identity documents and two travel permits.

Those things had been pressed at the bottom before, and I had not looked at them carefully.

No matter how slow I was, I realized it then: something had happened to the Xiao Family.

“Xiao Dao, I have to go back.” Xiao Yue’s hands were shaking, and his eyes were full of fear. “I have to go back.”

Looking at him, utterly at a loss, I sighed inwardly.

If something really had happened to the Xiao Family, going back now would be no different from walking into a trap.

He was already eye-catching by nature, and because he loved doing good deeds, he had quite a reputation in the city. Half of Lin’an knew him.

In the end, I had spent two years with Xiao Yue. I knew how stubborn he was, so I could only think of a way for him.

But by the time we returned, it was already too late.

Flames towered over the Xiao Family residence, and the sounds of killing rang out everywhere.

I hid with him in the shadows and could only hear the piercing screams coming from inside.

But there was nothing we could do. Government soldiers were guarding the outside, and there was no way to slip in.

Xiao Yue’s entire body had gone rigid, his eyes bloodshot.

Only when dawn arrived did the gates of the Xiao Family open.

One corpse after another was carried out and casually dumped onto the street.

“My father, my mother… That’s my third younger sister, and my second elder sister.”

Xiao Yue tried to rush out, but I held him back with all my strength.

“Xiao Yue! Calm down! If you die too, who will avenge them?”

I hugged him tightly and closed my eyes, forcing my tears back.

I had followed my master through the jianghu for more than ten years. I had long grown used to life and death, to partings forever.

But Xiao Yue had not. He was a young master raised in luxury. How could he bear the hatred of having his entire family wiped out?

Xiao Yue wiped the tears from his face hard, then said hoarsely, “Let’s go. We’re going to Jizhou.”