After returning from Indigo's residence humiliated, Haozhou smashed everything in his room. The servants around him were all terrified.
"Heh, shameless fool," he said with a dark face. "Do you really think I won't touch you?"
"Master, there's no need to be so angry. I have an idea," a servant said from behind.
Haozhou glanced sideways at him. "Speak."
"Isn't it just about meeting her? If the normal way doesn't work, we can just use another one," the servant leaned in closer. "Here's what we do…"
"You're ruthless," Haozhou said after hearing the plan.
"So, what do you think?" the servant asked with a grin.
Haozhou gave a cold snort. "Do it."
That night, just after the fourth night watch, while everyone was sound asleep.
Suddenly, flames rose from a cluster of homes behind the Indigo residence. The fire quickly roared into the sky, and thick smoke spread along with the wind, sweeping down half the street.
"Fire, fire!" came the panicked shouts and cries.
"My house, my house is burning!"
In the chaos, everyone woke up. Those who didn't probably died in their sleep. Some found that several houses had already become a sea of flames.
"Help, save them!" People rushed with buckets and basins, a complete mess.
The rear courtyard of Indigo's residence was close to the burning houses. The horses in the stables neighed wildly. Uncle Zhong was startled awake.
The young master's horse.
His room was in the back, so he threw on some clothes and rushed out. He could see the glow of the fire behind the rear gate, it was the houses on the street behind that were burning. Though the flames couldn't reach them across the street, the smoke was already pouring into the estate. The frightened horses neighed and stampeded in panic.
"Cough, cough, the thousand-mile horse," Uncle Zhong shouted and told the servants, "Quick, help put out the fire."
The smoke was so heavy that almost everyone in the estate had come out.
"Young master, why are you out here? Get back inside," Uncle Zhong pushed Indigo back, "Leave this to me."
"It's going to collapse, move," someone shouted.
Screams broke out again. "My father, my father's still inside."
Indigo looked toward the fire in the back street with a grim face. This wasn't normal, the fire was spreading too fast.
"You handle this. I'm going to check on Aenwyn." He turned and left quickly.
Under the glow of the fire, Uncle Zhong snapped out of it. "Yes, yes, Miss Aenwyn is most important. Go, young master."
Indigo picked up his pace, eventually breaking into a run.
Aenwyn hadn't expected the opportunity to come so soon. She hadn't been sleeping well the past few nights, so the moment the shouting began, she was already awake.
She got up lightly and saw the blazing fire through her window.
It really was a fire.
The chance had come, she realized immediately.
She heard people running outside and gently closed the window, leaving a small gap. She crouched there, watching, and only stood up once she saw Indigo leave the house and run out of the courtyard.
This chance won't come again. If not now, then when?
Aenwyn began packing and changing clothes.
When her hand touched the delicate scholar's dress, she said, "No, I can't wear this." She bit her finger in thought. "Stay calm. Trust your judgment."
Finally, she put the dress down and took out the shortened men's outfit Indigo had once tailored. Before changing, she quickly tore her inner garments and tightly wrapped her chest.
She twisted her long curly hair into a bun, thickened her eyebrows. She couldn't do much with her face, there was no time, so she just threw on her old windproof mask.
Once she was ready, she grabbed her bag and was about to slip out.
At that moment.
"Aenwyn, Aenwyn, are you alright?" A hurried knock on the door startled her heart into her throat.
It was Indigo.
"Heavens, why is he back so soon?" Aenwyn panicked.
Outside, Indigo looked grim. When she didn't respond, he was ready to break the door down.
"Indigo? What is it?" A soft, sleepy voice answered, still hoarse from just waking up.
He paused, then let out a long breath. "It's nothing, there's a fire outside. Just open the door."
"No, I've gone to bed. See you tomorrow." Aenwyn replied quickly, face pale.
"Be good, open the door, let me see you," Indigo coaxed, but there was firmness in his tone.
"No, I've taken off my clothes."
Indigo's face reddened. His mind involuntarily conjured the image of Aenwyn's soft skin and delicate curves. He softened his voice, "Just open for a second. I'm worried."
Aenwyn saw she couldn't avoid it. She was just about to open the door and talk him down when she heard another noise outside. It was far, and she couldn't make it out clearly.
"Aenwyn, lock your door and windows. Don't open for anyone," Indigo said and quickly left.
Thank heavens, he finally left.
At the gate of Indigo's estate, before anyone was seen, a voice rang out, "Brother, Brother Indigo." Haozhou barged in with a group of people.
"Hey, what are you doing? You can't bring people in," the gatekeeper tried to stop him.
"Out of the way, don't block me from catching a thief," Haozhou stormed straight toward the rear courtyard. If someone's hiding a beauty, they'd hide her deep.
"You can't do this," the gatekeeper cried. "The young master will skin me alive."
"If you don't move, I'll skin you myself."
"Who are you skinning?" It was Indigo.
Haozhou cursed his luck. He ran into this guy already.
The gatekeeper rushed in, nearly tripping over himself. "Forgive me, young master, I couldn't stop them."
"Why have you brought so many people to my estate in the middle of the night?" Indigo's face was dark. His tone said clearly, if you can't explain, no one's leaving.
Haozhou pretended to be relieved. "Brother, I'm just glad you're alright. I saw the fire and came to catch the arsonist. But the criminal ran into your estate."
He waved his hand, "You, go that way. You, go the other. Check every room."
"I'd like to see who dares," Indigo said coldly. "Get out."
"Don't be upset, brother. I promise not to disturb your household. But someone really saw the arsonist enter." Haozhou changed his tone. "How about this, just have everyone in your estate come out. Once I'm sure no one's being forced to hide someone, we'll leave."
"My estate's safety isn't your concern," Indigo replied.
"And what if I insist?" Haozhou's temper flared. He had stormed in to find someone, whether he was allowed or not.
"Try me," Indigo sneered.
Just as things were about to explode, Uncle Zhong arrived with the group who had just finished putting out the fire.
"What's going on here?" Uncle Zhong asked with a grin, his goatee twitching. "Why's there so much noise?"
The attendant next to him quietly explained the situation to Uncle Zhong.
After listening, Uncle Zhong said, "Indigo, don't rush or get upset. Young people have a short temper, but don't let small things damage harmony."
"Uncle Zhong, I was being kind," Haozhou protested.
"Mm, I understand. This time it's our young master who was out of line." Uncle Zhong took Indigo's hand. "You just want to check if everyone in the residence is safe, right? I'll take responsibility."
Haozhou smiled when he heard that. Uncle Zhong in the Indigo residence was basically half a master himself. His words carried weight. Though technically a servant, even the old master had to give him some respect.
And Indigo seemed to silently agree too.
Soon after, everyone from the residence gathered, not even a gatekeeper missing.
A delicate and fragile young man drew everyone's attention when he arrived.
Haozhou looked at him with interest as he walked closer. So this is Indigo's precious darling? Soft and weak looking, he really did have that kind of vibe. Wearing a woman's scholar robe, from afar he looked like a graceful lady.
There were sounds of people behind Haozhou gasping in surprise. So this young lord was hiding a beauty at home. That soft and pitiful look could probably outshine even the top courtesan at Spring Breeze Courtyard.
"Xiu greets Lord Haozhou." Xiu curtsied politely, his voice delicate like a thin thread.
He was indeed beautiful, but not to the point of being breathtaking. Haozhou had even wondered if Indigo was hiding a woman in his house.
Recently, the Indigo residence had been spending money like water, which gave him the wrong impression.
After seeing him, Haozhou suddenly felt disappointed, like he had wasted his whole day. After looking at Xiu a few more times, he said, "Since everyone here is fine, I'll be leaving. Maybe the arsonist went somewhere else."
"You think you can leave just like that?" Indigo raised his voice.
Haozhou looked back, "A fine horse will be delivered tomorrow. Think of it as an apology from your older brother." Then he left without looking back, leading his men away.
After leaving the Indigo residence and walking a while, the servant who came up with the plan came over to take credit. He said with admiration, "Congratulations, my lord, for finally seeing such a beauty."
He didn't notice Haozhou's cold look, as if he were staring at a corpse. The servant kept talking, "I have a plan to help you win that beauty…"
Before he could finish the word "win," blood poured out of his mouth. It splattered everywhere. His eyes blinked in shock as he stared at Haozhou, never understanding what had just happened.
"A little cleverness is fine. But acting too smart will get you killed," Haozhou calmly wiped the blood off his dagger, not even glancing at the body on the ground.
Aenwyn, hiding behind, gasped. Murder.
When the killer glanced her way, she quickly covered her mouth. She waited a long time until everyone was gone before coming out.
Carrying her bag, she looked around, then slipped away in the opposite direction.
But she hadn't gone far before that group blocked her path again. "Heh, you think you can leave after watching my fun?"
Why had Haozhou come back? He must be crazy. He hated people watching his drama.
Aenwyn cursed inwardly. Bad luck. She turned and ran.
"Still trying to run? Catch him!"
You think I'll stop just because you said so? Who do you think you are? Aenwyn rolled her eyes while running.
He's a murderer. Why wouldn't I run!