Chapter 3

Morning broke with a faint glow of light seeping through the wooden slats of my window. The air was cool, tinged with the earthy scent of dew. My muscles ached from the previous days, but the soreness felt different this time—less like a burden and more like a challenge to overcome. I sat up on the straw mattress, running my hand through my disheveled hair, and let my thoughts drift to the events of the day before.

The merchant guild's arrival had been a spectacle, a parade of wealth and influence. Xiao Liang had played the part of a gracious host, but his arrogance was as transparent as glass. Master Lu, the guild leader, was shrewd enough to see through it, though he'd played along for the sake of diplomacy. I'd observed everything from the sidelines, absorbing every detail like a sponge.

'Xiao Liang's smug confidence will be his undoing,' I thought, a small smirk creeping onto my face. The trade negotiations were a minefield, and he was stomping through them blindfolded. It wasn't a matter of if he'd make a misstep, but when.

The question was, how could I position myself to take advantage of it?

The day's tasks began much like the previous ones, with the stout overseer barking orders and assigning duties. This time, I was sent to assist in the kitchens, where the feast for the guild's delegation was being prepared. The heat was oppressive, the air thick with the aroma of roasting meats and simmering spices. I moved between the counters, fetching ingredients and washing utensils, all the while keeping my ears open for useful scraps of conversation.

"Did you see the fabrics the guild brought?" one of the cooks whispered to another as they kneaded dough. "They say they're from the southern isles. Silk so fine it feels like water."

"Master Liang's showing them our own silk tonight," the other replied. "But it won't compare. The guild's quality is unmatched."

I stored the information away. The Xiao family's silk production was a cornerstone of their wealth, but if the guild's wares truly outshone theirs, it could weaken their position in the negotiations.

As I scrubbed a stubborn stain from a pan, my mind raced. 'If the guild has superior silk, they'll have leverage in the deal. Xiao Liang will either overcommit or underplay the situation, and both outcomes will leave the family vulnerable. But what can I do with that knowledge?'

By midday, the heat in the kitchen had become unbearable, and the overseer finally granted me a brief reprieve. I stepped outside, the cool breeze a welcome relief against my sweat-drenched skin. Leaning against the stone wall of the estate, I took a deep breath and let my gaze wander across the bustling courtyard.

The merchants' carriages were still parked near the main hall, their guards standing watch. Servants scurried to and fro, carrying trays of food and pitchers of wine. Xiao Liang was nowhere in sight, likely holed up in the hall with the guild's delegation.

'If only I could hear what they're discussing,' I thought, my fingers twitching with anticipation. Eavesdropping on their conversation would be risky, but the potential payoff was too great to ignore. Knowledge was power, and I needed every advantage I could get.

As the afternoon stretched on, I bided my time, waiting for the right moment. The commotion in the courtyard gradually subsided as the feast began, the clinking of glasses and murmur of voices filtering out from the hall. The guards stationed at the doors were alert but relaxed, their attention focused inward rather than outward.

I slipped around the side of the hall, keeping to the shadows. The building's wooden walls were old, the boards slightly warped and uneven. It didn't take long to find a small gap near the base where the wood had split, creating an opening just wide enough to see through.

Crouching low, I peered inside. The hall was bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, the long table laden with food and drink. Master Lu sat at the center, his bejeweled fingers drumming lightly against the table as he spoke.

"Master Xiao Liang," he said, his tone polite but firm. "Your family's reputation precedes you, but reputation alone does not close a deal. The guild seeks more than mere assurances. We require guarantees."

Xiao Liang leaned back in his chair, his smile tight. "Of course, Master Lu. The Xiao family has never failed to deliver on its promises. Our silk production is unmatched, and our trade routes are well-established."

Master Lu's expression didn't waver. "Your silk is of high quality, yes. But the guild has recently secured access to suppliers from the southern isles. Their fabrics are... extraordinary. If we are to forge a partnership, it must be one that benefits both parties."

Xiao Liang's jaw tightened, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "Are you suggesting the Xiao family's silk is inferior?"

"Not inferior," Master Lu replied smoothly. "Simply different. Our goal is diversification. The guild values variety, not redundancy."

I withdrew from the gap, my heart pounding. Master Lu's words were carefully chosen, but their implications were clear. The guild wasn't looking to rely solely on the Xiao family; they were hedging their bets, seeking multiple sources of silk to strengthen their own position.

'This is worse than I thought,' I realized. 'If Xiao Liang can't secure the deal, the Xiao family's dominance in the silk trade could be undermined. And if he overplays his hand, it could alienate the guild entirely.'

I needed to act, but how? Intervening directly wasn't an option—not yet. But perhaps there was another way to make my presence known, to demonstrate my value without stepping too far into the spotlight.

That night, as I lay on the straw mattress in my room, the pieces of my plan began to fall into place. The guild's interest in the southern isles' silk was a vulnerability, but it could also be an opportunity. If I could find a way to offer something the guild truly needed—something Xiao Liang had overlooked—I could establish myself as an asset to both sides.

'It's a gamble,' I thought, staring at the cracked ceiling above me. 'But isn't that what life's all about?'

I smirked, the faint flicker of determination burning brighter in my chest. This world was harsh and unforgiving, but it was also full of opportunity. And I intended to seize every bit of it.

"Tomorrow," I muttered to myself, my voice firm in the quiet room. "Tomorrow, I make my move."