694: Chapter 107: A Man’s Heaven 694: Chapter 107: A Man’s Heaven There are fifteen well-equipped foot soldiers in total, along with two samurai who bear the family name, five attendants, one servant girl, and Miss Tsukihime from the Kondo Family.
Such a display, in the eyes of the two samurai of the main family, cannot be described as extravagant…
it’s not nearly enough!
Although this lineup is sufficient to deal with ordinary bandits, it’s far from enough if they encounter malicious monsters…
this is an era filled with monsters.
“Miss Tsukihime, we’ve entered Zaodao Village,” a samurai from the main family came to the side of the carriage.
Zi Xing lifted the curtain and saw the tenant farmers, who were working in the nearby fields, looking on in astonishment.
She instructed, “Get one of them over here, I have some questions to ask.”
“Yes!” The samurai nodded, then rode his horse to the edge of the paddy field.
Soon after, the samurai returned with a middle-aged tenant farmer who was frightened but managed to stay posed, “Answer Miss Tsukihime’s questions properly!”
“Y-Yes, my lord!” The tenant farmer didn’t dare to raise his head and knelt directly in front of the carriage.
Zi Xing was unmoved by this behavior…
as a genuine monster and the proud Young Master of the Greedy Wolf Tribe, she was destined to be respected—a spectacle of people kneeling was far too mon to her, let alone from ignorant humans.
“Where is the Nagato House?” Zi Xing asked directly.
The tenant farmer quickly replied, “Just up ahead, about three miles away…”
The tenant farmer spoke with care, afraid of making even the slightest mistake.
He couldn’t fathom who would seek out Lord Nagato.
Looking at the convoy, it was far more impressive than the Nagato House itself.
Zi Xing quickly nodded, waved her hand to have the samurai lead the man away, and instructed another samurai in the front to head towards the Nagato House.
“This is for you!”
The samurai threw some money in front of the tenant farmer, who gratefully accepted it with both hands, then watched the team slowly leave.
But the tenant farmer looked at the heavy little purse in his hand, and instead of feeling happy, he couldn’t help but feel downhearted.
He shook his head and casually tossed the purse into a basket, leaving it by the paddy field, not fearing it would be quietly taken by anyone.
For the people of Zaodao Village, possessing more wealth doesn’t pare to having bountiful daily meals—after all, they cannot leave this village.
Within the village, they are already self-sufficient…
there is nothing else to yearn for.
…
The Nagato House, mansion.
When the convoy of Miss Tsukihime of the Kondo Family stopped at the entrance, they saw Lord Nagato and his people already standing in front of the gate…
some servants even had a hurried look about them, suggesting that such a reception was not prepared in advance.
“Are you the head of the Nagato family?”
The samurai from the Kondo Family stepped forward and asked imposingly.
Lord Nagato nodded respectfully and quickly said, “We didn’t know Miss Tsukihime was ing.
It was only after the servants from a distance saw the Kondo family crest and reported it, that I hurriedly led the family to wele you.”
In a very short time, gathering so many people to e out and receive them, although not orderly, was passable.
The samurai from the Kondo Family likely understood this too, so he didn’t blame them too much.
Instead, he arrogantly acknowledged and then ordered, “Miss Tsukihime intends to stay here for a few days, so you better prepare.”
Lord Nagato naturally dared not disobey and immediately instructed his servants to clean up the last room—he had to do so because the Kondo Family was a great clan with fiefs near Famen Mountain, and the area around Zaodao Village that the Nagato family obtained was from a reward by the Kondo Family’s ancestors.
Speaking of which, the Nagato surname was also granted by the Kondo Family—for this reason, how dare the Nagato House refuse any request from Miss Tsukihime of the Kondo Family?
However…
why did this exalted Princess Yue Ji suddenly e to such a remote area?
Lord Nagato furrowed his brow deeply at this…
he instinctively thought of Nagato Saburo, could it be because of Saburo…
Fortunately, after receiving the servant’s report, he hastily instructed Nagato Saburo to temporarily hide himself, so he was not present here.
Nagato Saburo had publicly claimed that he was injured on the battlefield and ordered by his mander to return home to recuperate.
As a warrior with merits… but how could such words fool Lord Nagato who watched him grow up?
In truth, it was all lies by Nagato Saburo, a deserter from the battlefield.
Yet, knowing all this, Lord Nagato had no choice but to conceal his identity as a deserter to maintain the family’s reputation.
As the head of the Nagato family, Lord Nagato was almost the only one qualified to acpany Princess Yue Ji—despite this, he dared not walk side by side with Kondo Tsukihime and kept a respectful small half-step behind…
In this era of strict social hierarchies, he dared not overstep even half a step…
even if she was merely a woman before him.
“May I ask why Miss Tsukihime has e in person?” Lord Nagato asked cautiously.
Kondo Tsukihime… Zi Xing merely observed the courtyard outside the corridor, seeming unwilling to answer Lord Nagato’s question.
Suddenly, Zi Xing stopped, indifferently saying, “Who is that?”
In the courtyard, a small girl was crouching by the pond, acpanied by a maid.
Seeing this, Lord Nagato quickly looked down and said, “In response to Miss Tsukihime, that is Tsuruko, she is…
is the daughter of my younger brother Saburo.”
“Tsuruko…
Nagato Tsuruko?” Zi Xing softly repeated the name.
“Yes, Nagato Tsuruko, Miss Tsukihime,” Lord Nagato responded quickly…
though unknown why this princess from the Kondo Family asked questions she already knew the answers to, he couldn’t ignore her words.
Rumor has it that the head of the Kondo Family intends to find a husband for Miss Tsukihime… Of course, the husband cannot inherit everything from the Kondo Family, but their children would have this qualification!
So if…
“Tsuruko!”
At this moment, Lord Nagato suddenly shouted and beckoned for Tsuruko to e over, but unexpectedly the little girl hid behind the maid, only daring to peep out with a timid look.
Lord Nagato frowned, noticing Miss Tsukihime’s calm expression, sensing no displeasure from her, quickly said, “Pardon Miss Tsukihime, Tsuruko is still young and doesn’t understand manners.
I will ensure proper teaching afterwards.
But, I can assure you, Tsuruko is not avoiding Miss Tsukihime out of dislike, she is just a bit afraid of strangers.
This child lost her mother at a young age and lacked good care, hence her personality…”
Zi Xing said indifferently, “Is she really just afraid of this stranger that is me?”
Lord Nagato met Miss Tsukihime’s gaze, and though rumors said she was frail, her gaze was sharper than the head of the Kondo Family he saw in his youth…
could the rumors be false?
Just a few words from Zi Xing made Lord Nagato feel difficult to withstand.
His eyes quickly darted around, seeing a servant from the Nagato House approaching, he promptly said, “Miss Tsukihime, the room is ready, please follow me.”
“Hmm.” Zi Xing swished her sleeve and strode ahead.
Lord Nagato quietly sighed in relief and gestured towards the maid in the courtyard to quickly take Tsuruko away.
At this time, Lord Nagato also called over another servant, quietly instructing, “Hurry and get Shinji here!
Make sure he’s dressed properly, don’t embarrass us!”
After giving the orders, he hurriedly chased after them…
As for Nagato Saburo, ever since the reception, Lord Nagato had told the servants once more to instruct him to stay hidden.
The matter of Nagato Saburo being a deserter wasn’t widely known, and in an era where information was not well-circulated, if the news was sealed well, perhaps it could remain hidden.
However, the ones ing were from the Kondo Family, fear was of loose lips revealing the secret.
“This Miss Tsukihime…
is hard to deal with!”
Recalling the gaze Kondo Tsukihime gave him just now, Lord Nagato couldn’t help but look more solemn, thinking about all the possibilities of this Princess’s arrival, feeling very restless.
Not long after, Zi Xing had already settled in.
At this moment, Lord Nagato was kneeling in front of Zi Xing, his gaze lowered, quietly listening to the orders of this important person.
Zi Xing calmly asked, “Lord Nagato, do you know if any outsiders have recently arrived in Zaodao Village?”
“Outsiders?” Lord Nagato lifted his head and cautiously asked, “I wonder why Miss Tsukihime is asking this?”
“Just answer me.”
Lord Nagato slowly said, “As far as I know, no.
Zaodao Village is almost at the end of Famen Mountain, even traveling merchants seldom return.”
“Are you sure?” Zi Xing asked Lord Nagato once again.
That eye contact again…
the gaze as if overlooking from above the clouds made Lord Nagato’s heart tremble for some reason.
He lowered his head and said, “Maybe there are some…
after all, I can’t constantly monitor the road into the village.
But rest assured, Miss Tsukihime, I will immediately order someone to ask around in the village…
Do you have anyone in mind you’re looking for?”
“If any outsiders have arrived in the past few days, or if there are already outsiders in the village, bring them to see me.” Zi Xing straightforwardly ordered without bothering to say more.
“Understood!” Lord Nagato hurriedly nodded in agreement.
At this moment, a servant girl pushed open the door, crawling forward and whispering a few words in Lord Nagato’s ear, after which Lord Nagato formally said, “Miss Tsukihime, it’s my son.
He is outside, wishing to meet you.”
“No need.” Zi Xing waved her hand, “I’m tired, want to rest, don’t let unnecessary people disturb me.”
“This…” Lord Nagato hesitated for a moment.
But at that time, the samurai of the Kondo family solemnly said, “Nagato!
Did you not hear Lady Tsukihime’s orders?
Step down now!”
“Understood…”
Lord Nagato could only respectfully leave, unable to resist the overwhelming power of the Kondo family.
Outside, Nagato Shinji furrowed his brows, just about to inquire when Lord Nagato abruptly scolded, “Get out of here!”
Nagato Shinji seemed to want to say something, but under his father’s terrifying gaze, he clenched his fists.
He dared not acpany his father and could only leave this courtyard alone…
But after taking only a couple of steps, he saw his uncle, Nagato Saburo.
“Uncle, why are you here?” Nagato Shinji asked perplexedly…
He had heard from the servants that his father had ordered his uncle not to show up temporarily.
“Difficult to see, isn’t it?” Nagato Saburo had a gloating expression on his face at this time.
“Uncle Saburo, what exactly do you want to say?” Nagato Shinji furrowed his brows…
He didn’t particularly like this uncle, especially after he returned from the battlefield.
Nagato Saburo shook his head, “I’m not talking about you; I’m talking about your father.
When he came out from Miss Kondo, his face must have looked unpleasant.”
“Uncle Saburo, I think we shouldn’t discuss father here.” Nagato Shinji continued frowning, “We shouldn’t talk about the family head of the Nagato House, it’s disrespectful!
Also, Uncle Saburo, you’re reeking of alcohol, you’d better go back and rest.”
At this moment, Nagato Saburo, with a face full of stubble, leaned against the wall, holding a jug of wine in his hand, his robe unbuttoned, looking very much like a debauchee wandering the pleasure quarters.
Nagato Saburo took a sip from the wine bottle, squinting his eyes as if enjoying it, then let out a strange laugh: “Here, my elder brother is like the sky, holding absolute authority in the Nagato House; no one can defy him.
However, even this sky of his is a bit too small.
When a small sky meets a big sky, well…
it can only be like this.
Shinji, take a good look, your father is not as strong and perfect as you imagined.”
“Uncle Saburo, you are really drunk!” Nagato Shinji spoke with a heavier tone.
“Am I?” Nagato Saburo continued to chuckle strangely, staggering as he moved, “Perhaps…
living here, being a bit muddled sometimes is better.
Too clear-headed, and instead…
”
The words that followed were too soft for Nagato Shinji to hear…
Perhaps Nagato Saburo hadn’t finished what he wanted to say.
Watching Nagato Saburo eventually disappear at the end of the corridor, Nagato Shinji subconsciously recalled his father’s increasingly furious expression from earlier.
A small sky indeed…
Nagato Shinji was lost in thought, but suddenly felt something tug at his clothes.
Turning back, he found it was Nagato Tsuruko.
The little girl barely reached his waist height, her small hand tugging at his sleeve, “Play with me…”
“Get lost!” Nagato Shinji suddenly waved his hand, slapping away Tsuruko’s hand.
Nagato Tsuruko cried out in pain, her frightened eyes began to well up with tears, and Nagato Shinji, feeling agitated, lifted his foot to kick Nagato Tsuruko to the ground.
She rolled from the floor out into the courtyard.
“Ah…
Miss Tsuruko!”
The servant girl fearfully rushed over, lifting the fallen Nagato Tsuruko.
A bright red streak was visible on Tsuruko’s forehead…
an injury caused by her forehead hitting the gravel upon landing.
“Young Master Shinji, Miss Tsuruko is still a child, she bumped into you…” The servant girl held Nagato Tsuruko, trembling as she looked at this heir of the Nagato family.
“Hmph!” Nagato Shinji coldly said, “Women, stay inside and don’t e out!”
With that, Nagato Shinji flung his sleeves and left.
“Miss Tsuruko, are you alright?
Here, let me take you back to get bandaged!” The servant girl clumsily tidied Nagato Tsuruko’s clothes, continuously lamenting, “Really, how could they treat you like this…
really…
does it hurt?”
“Ah Xiu, play with me.”
Blood trickled down from the wound on Nagato Tsuruko’s forehead, flowing from between her eyebrows and splitting at the bridge of her nose, resembling the winding paths of water on a map.
The servant girl…
Ah Xiu gazed down, her heart aching as she tightly held Nagato Tsuruko, choking up, “Alright, Ah Xiu will play with Miss Tsuruko.”
…
…
Zi Xing was quietly sitting in her room, when a samurai pushed open the door, kneeling at the hallway outside the room, with a solemn expression, “Lady Tsukihime, we found a spy outside!”
Zi Xing slowly opened her eyes, her brow slightly furrowed, “A spy?
Is it someone from the Nagato House?”
The samurai quickly replied, “No, this person claims to be Sasaki Kojiro…”
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