Chapter 127
Chapter 127: The Great Fire
Zheng Ming Lan snapped with a glare: “Xia Meng Yan, don’t think the Lin family’s backing lets you do whatever you want. If you dare to curse the Qiao family head, no one can protect you.” In her eyes, a divorced woman carrying an illegitimate child had no right to act so bold.
The Lin family might be the richest in Man Lin City, but they were still merchants. In the eyes of official noble houses, the Lin family was only a purse. If they disobeyed, any hat tossed on them could ruin them.
Qiao Xi Wan bit her lip, tears threatening to fall. She held a handkerchief with a stubborn yet fragile air and said: “I know Sister does not like me, but she should not curse my father. We are still relatives. If word spreads, how will outsiders view the Lin family?”
Seeing the girl he liked about to cry, Zheng Jing Nian stepped forward to shield her and glared at Xia Meng Yan: “Miss Xia, Wan’er only came to greet you. Why be so aggressive?”
Noticing the two of them tangled together, Xia Meng Yan lifted a brow and said: “I only asked a question out of curiosity. How is that aggressive? Or is it that Young Master Zheng cannot look away when a woman sheds tears, and even forgets propriety?”
At that, Zheng Jing Nian and Qiao Xi Wan glanced at each other and quickly let go.
“You’re spouting nonsense,” he protested.
Arms folded, Lin Qing Wan curled her lip and said: “My cousin said nothing wrong. A man and a woman grabbing at each other in a Buddhist sect’s pure ground. If you aren’t ashamed, our eyes are. Go.”
“You—” Zheng Ming Lan began.
Qiao Xi Wan pulled her back and said with reddened eyes: “Sister, let it go. Miss Xia is pregnant. If anything happens, we won’t be able to explain.”
Zheng Ming Lan paused, her gaze dropping to Xia Meng Yan’s belly. A flash of malice crossed her eyes before she said curtly: “We’re leaving.”
Lin Qing Wan spat at their backs and took Xia Meng Yan’s arm: “Cousin, ignore them. Come sit with me and let the maids unpack.”
Xia Meng Yan nodded. She glanced toward Duan Yi Chen in the distance and signaled him not to act rashly. Seeing through his little thought, Duan Yi Chen touched his nose and went back inside.
After they left, Zheng Ming Lan fumed: “Wan’er, you’re too soft. That shameless Xia Meng Yan dares to strut around in Man Lin City. She should learn whose territory this is.”
Qiao Xi Wan sat with a soft smile and patted her hand: “Strictly speaking, the Qiao family was at fault. The Lin family did not pursue Cousin’s matter further. That is already merciful.”
“Qiao Shan is dead already. What more do they want?” Zheng Ming Lan thought of how Xia Meng Yan had humiliated her at Qiao Shan’s funeral. Counting today, their grudge only grew. She had never hated anyone so much. Xia Meng Yan was the first.
“Do not be reckless,” Zheng Jing Nian said as he sat beside Qiao Xi Wan, his gentle gaze thick as honey. “Father told us to be friendly with Xia Meng Yan and find Heir Apparent Duan’s trail.”
Zheng Ming Lan grew even more jealous at their sweetness and hissed: “That shameless Xia Meng Yan, what makes her worthy of Heir Apparent Duan’s favor?”
Their father had word that the Eldest Princess’s legitimate son, Duan Yi Chen, had left the Capital and might come to Man Lin City to find Xia Meng Yan. He also said Duan Yi Chen liked Xia Meng Yan, and if the Eldest Princess had not stopped it, the two would already be married. Zheng Ming Lan cursed in her heart: [Pregnant and still flirting. Shameless.]
Duan Yi Chen was the most noble man in the Xuan Ming Empire aside from the princes. A divorced woman like Xia Meng Yan was nothing, and even a Grand Secretary’s legitimate daughter would be reaching up for him. Father’s meaning was clear. If she could win the heir apparent’s favor and latch onto the Eldest Princess, not only Father but the entire Zheng family would worship her.
But Xia Meng Yan was an eyesore, like a broken rock on the roadside, ugly and hard to swallow.
Qiao Xi Wan’s lowered hand brushed Zheng Jing Nian’s palm. She shyly tried to pull away, but he caught her fingers and said softly: “Xia Meng Yan is our only lead. In the next two days, we must ease relations with her. Do not make enemies out of impulse.”
Zheng Ming Lan took a deep breath. [Once I become the heir apparent’s consort, I will ruin Xia Meng Yan.] She answered, “Got it, Brother.” She looked toward Xia Meng Yan’s courtyard and gave a cold smile. She did have one way to draw out Heir Apparent Duan.
Back in the courtyard, Xia Meng Yan’s side room had been cleaned. Chun Yue and Nanny Song finished putting things in order. The temple staff brought vegetarian dishes, handed them to the maids, and left. After half a day in the carriage, Xia Meng Yan had little appetite. She ate a bit and told them to take the food away.
When Duan Yi Chen heard, he leaned in at the door and asked: “Do you want me to go down the mountain to buy something for you?”
Xia Meng Yan shook her head: “No. You need a sincere heart to pray for blessings. You must not sneak out to cause trouble at night. Stay in the yard.”
Thinking of the look in his eyes earlier, she worried: [If I’m not careful, he’ll shave Zheng Ming Lan’s head too.]
“She isn’t worthy of my hand,” Duan Yi Chen said. Seeing her tired, he said no more and returned to his room.
Before resting, Xia Meng Yan told Nanny Song: “Have everyone keep sharp tonight.”
Nanny Song froze, then tensed up: “Did you notice something, Miss?”
Xia Meng Yan smiled: “Nothing clear. Zheng Ming Lan’s eyes looked wrong when she left. It hurts nothing to be careful.”
Nanny Song tucked in the quilt and said: “Do not worry, Miss. Guard Song has already arranged everything. Tonight Chun Yue and I will keep watch over you.”
Dusk deepened. Nanny Song made a last round, checked all corners, and, finding nothing wrong, went into the room with Chun Yue.
At midnight, hunger woke Xia Meng Yan. She had just called for Nanny Song when a scream sounded outside. She flung aside the bed curtains and, by the light of the moon, saw flames dancing.
Chaos filled the courtyard. Shouts and cries for help tangled in the night and reached her ears. She sat up at once and ran for the door, only to find Nanny Song and Chun Yue collapsed at the second doorway.
Xia Meng Yan pulled out silver needles and quickly pricked both women. They slowly opened their eyes. Smelling smoke, they covered their mouths and noses at once.
“There’s a fire,” Chun Yue said as she stood, catching sight of the glow through a crack in the door.
Xia Meng Yan had not expected the flames to be so fierce. She ordered: “Wet your kerchiefs and move out.”
Supporting Xia Meng Yan, Nanny Song steadied her, while Chun Yue soaked cloths with tea from the pot. The three leaned on one another and pushed open the inner screen door.
Whoosh. As the door opened, fire rushed in, and all three stepped back together.
The hem of Nanny Song’s gown had caught fire. Xia Meng Yan told her: “Drop and roll.” She and Chun Yue helped, and the flames went out quickly.
Just then something crashed down from the roof. Xia Meng Yan looked up as Duan Yi Chen dropped in with a light leap.
Before he could speak, Xia Meng Yan gave the order: “Take Nanny Song and Chun Yue out first.”
Nanny Song wanted to protest, but Xia Meng Yan said in a firm voice: “There is no time. Go.”
Duan Yi Chen hesitated for a heartbeat, then scooped up the two women and sprang back onto the roof.
Xia Meng Yan looked around, grabbed every bit of water she could reach, and doused herself. Outside, the blaze devoured every courtyard around hers. The fire was so fierce that no one could get near.
Monks from Cloud Mountain Temple kept throwing water, but all they got for it was rolling black smoke. They could not see the flames on the other side. Roofs collapsed with a noise like an earthquake, and everyone stepped back together. A few who failed to dodge were swallowed by the fire’s tongue.
Fighting the blaze with his men, Song Mo saw Nanny Song and Chun Yue and rushed over to ask: “Where is the miss?”
Face blackened, panting hard, Nanny Song pointed toward the house and said: “Miss is still inside. Someone already went in.”
Heir Apparent Duan’s identity could not be revealed. Song Mo glanced around and, seeing no sign of him outside, knew the one who had gone in must be Duan Yi Chen. His heart shot into his throat. He thought: [If anything happens to the heir apparent, forget the miss. The whole Xia family will be buried with him.]
The rooms where Zheng Ming Lan stayed were a bit farther away. Seeing the glow, she came with Qiao Xi Wan. Qiao Xi Wan turned pale at the sight of bodies lying motionless on the ground.
Someone screamed: “A dead person.”
Zheng Ming Lan stumbled back in panic, but her eyes never left the people in the burning courtyard. She searched the crowd for a certain figure with a cold, fixed stare.