Wang Qingyao did not get out of the carriage immediately.
Things were not looking good.
The coachman was not masked, openly exposing his face, which meant they didn't intend to leave any witnesses alive.
Wang Qingyao was fine; she had Jin Tiao to protect her.
But Yin Zhu was in danger. Even with Jin Tiao's strength, it would be difficult to ensure the safety of two people.
She thought for a moment, then turned and instructed Yin Zhu, "You stay in the carriage. No matter what I say later, you are not to get out."
Yin Zhu asked, confused, "Miss, why?"
Wang Qingyao didn't have time to explain further. She only said, "Remember my words."
She lifted the curtain and alighted from the carriage, carefully lifting only a small corner to ensure Yin Zhu did not see the scene outside.
Seeing only her disembark, the coachman frowned, his gaze falling on the carriage.
Wang Qingyao blocked his view. "My maid knows nothing. Let her go back."
The coachman let out a disdainful laugh, likely mocking her overestimation of herself.
At this point, she still dared to negotiate with him?
Wang Qingyao said, "If anything happens to my maid, I will say nothing."
The coachman's face turned fierce, and he glared at her unhappily.
A voice from inside the house said, "Let her maid go."
The coachman nodded slightly towards the direction of the voice. Wang Qingyao then added, "My maid is tight-lipped. Give her a few gold bars, and she won't say a word."
She deliberately spoke loudly. A small bird perched on a tree in the quiet courtyard was startled by her voice, rustled its wings, and flew into the sky with a "squawk."
The coachman looked at her as if she were crazy. They would be grateful enough if she wasn't killed, and she was offering gold bars?
Inside the carriage, Yin Zhu, who had been deeply moved by Wang Qingyao, was shocked and wronged by her words. How could her young lady say such a thing about her? She was the most loyal person in Lengxiang Courtyard; how could she be bought with mere gold bars?
She wanted to get out and explain, but remembering Wang Qingyao's words, she hesitated for a moment, then sat back down.
"Let's go," Wang Qingyao said. Without waiting for the coachman to lead the way, she walked directly towards the main hall.
The coachman glanced at the carriage and followed Wang Qingyao inside.
Sitting inside was Steward Ji, the one who served Grand Tutor Wei.
Steward Ji still couldn't figure out how Wang Qingyao had recognized him.
He had been masked and had not revealed any information about his identity.
But the moment Wang Qingyao saw his face, her gaze, her expression, though fleeting, clearly indicated she recognized him.
If he hadn't been accustomed to observing people's expressions, he wouldn't have noticed that she had recognized him!
This girl could not be allowed to live!
Wang Qingyao looked at Steward Ji and chuckled twice, feigning ignorance. "Oh, it's Steward Ji. I didn't do anything, and Steward Ji sent people to abduct me here? Is this the hospitality of your Grand Tutor's estate?"
Steward Ji frowned and looked at her. "How did you recognize me?"
Wang Qingyao continued to play dumb. "Steward Ji, what are you saying? I just saw you at the Wei estate. Isn't it normal for me to recognize you? I'm not a fish with only a seven-second memory. My memory is very good. Let alone people I've just met, I even remember people I met a year ago."
Steward Ji felt Wang Qingyao was talking too much and frowned. "You know that's not what I meant."
"I don't know," Wang Qingyao replied. "If you don't explain clearly, how would I know? Even if you explained clearly, I might not know. Besides, you're not explaining clearly, so how could I possibly know?"
Steward Ji: "..."
This girl was too talkative.
He scrutinized Wang Qingyao from head to toe, his brows furrowed deeply.
"Where did you get your storybook from?" he changed the subject, no longer bothering with how she recognized him.
Wang Qingyao then showed a look of sudden realization. "Ah, so it was you, you shameless bandit, who tied me up and took me to that ruined temple last time! Tsk tsk tsk, I never would have thought that a steward of the Grand Tutor's estate would do such a deceitful thing in private! You've disgraced the Grand Tutor's estate! Are you worthy of Grand Tutor Wei, Prince Ding'an, and Miss Wei?"
Steward Ji couldn't stand it anymore, he rubbed his forehead and gritted his teeth. "Can you say a little less?"
"No, I have a mouth, and it's for speaking! Is your mouth for farting?"
Steward Ji: "..." What kind of young lady was this, spewing such vulgarities?
The two legitimate daughters of the Wei family, regardless of their temperaments, had been meticulously educated in etiquette and rules since childhood. He had never encountered someone like Wang Qingyao who was so unrestrained.
The coachman couldn't help but chuckle. Steward Ji gave him a stern look, and the coachman immediately lowered his head. "I'll go check on that maid."
Wang Qingyao's heart tightened.
She had been talking nonsense to stall for time. She didn't know if Jin Tiao had managed to get Yin Zhu out.
The coachman went to take a look and immediately ran back. "That maid ran away."
Steward Ji was unconcerned. "I said to let her go."
Wang Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief.
Steward Ji revealed a sinister smile. "I let her go, but whether she can escape depends on her own abilities."
He gave a look to the coachman, who said, "Yes," and turned to chase after her.
"Shameless!" Wang Qingyao cursed.
"There's more shamelessness to come!" Steward Ji said coldly. "If you don't confess honestly, I will rape you and then kill you. If you confess honestly, I will leave you with your innocence and a complete corpse."
It seemed she would die regardless of whether she confessed or not.
She wondered if Jin Tiao had returned yet.
At this moment, Wang Qingyao was worried that if Jin Tiao returned, Yin Zhu would be unprotected. She was also worried that if Jin Tiao hadn't returned, she might really die.
For a moment, her expression became conflicted and contorted.
Her expression fell into Steward Ji's eyes as fear.
Steward Ji puffed out his chest, finally feeling like he was back in control.
"Tell me honestly, where did the storybook you wrote come from?"
Wang Qingyao was speechless. This person kept harping on this question. She had told him the truth last time, but he didn't believe her. What else could she say?
She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and stalled for time. "Why do you keep asking me this question?"
"You don't need to know."
"I told you last time."
"I checked, and there is no such person as Tang San. Last time you tried to track my people, humph!"
"Because you're strange. I was just writing a storybook to earn some dowry money, minding my own business and not bothering anyone. Then you suddenly kidnapped me and asked so many strange questions. Shouldn't I try to figure things out?"