Chapter 4

The morning air was crisp, a stark contrast to the buzzing tension that churned within me. Today wasn't just another day of servitude—it was a day to begin reshaping my fate. As I dressed in the coarse garments provided for the estate's lowest members, my mind sifted through my plan like a merchant examining precious jewels. It had to be precise, calculated. One wrong move, and I'd solidify myself as nothing more than the Xiao family's black sheep.

I stepped into the courtyard, the estate already alive with activity. Servants hurried past, their heads low and their hands full. The merchant guild's carriages stood parked in their neat formation, a physical reminder of the power dynamics playing out within the estate. Guards stood watch, their expressions bored yet alert.

'Observation first,' I reminded myself, keeping my posture unassuming as I approached the stables. To everyone else, I was just another nameless figure shuffling through the day's drudgery. That was my advantage—for now.

The stables were quieter than usual, the horses calm as I set to work brushing their manes and inspecting their hooves. My tasks here were menial, but they allowed me to overhear conversations without drawing attention. It wasn't long before a familiar pair of voices filtered through the open stable doors.

"Master Liang looked furious last night," one stable hand said, his tone laced with amusement.

"Serves him right," the other replied. "He thought the guild would fall at his feet, but Master Lu isn't some wide-eyed fool."

"Do you think the deal will go through?"

"Not with Liang at the helm. If anyone's going to ruin the Xiao family's standing, it'll be him."

I kept my head down, brushing the flank of a chestnut mare as their voices drifted away. It wasn't news that Xiao Liang was struggling to handle the negotiations, but the staff's lack of confidence in him was telling. The cracks in his image were growing deeper.

After finishing my work in the stables, I headed toward the edge of the estate, where the storage buildings stood. These structures housed everything from grains and spices to textiles and tools. It was here that I hoped to find the missing piece of my plan.

The storage overseer, a wiry man with sharp eyes, spotted me lingering near the entrance. "What do you want?" he snapped, his tone suspicious.

"I was told to help inventory the textiles," I lied smoothly, meeting his gaze with a calm expression. "Something about ensuring the right goods are ready for the guild's inspection."

He squinted at me, clearly skeptical, but after a moment, he shrugged. "Fine. Just don't mess anything up."

The storage building was a treasure trove of the Xiao family's wealth. Bolts of silk in vibrant colors were stacked neatly on shelves, their quality evident even in the dim light. I ran my fingers over the smooth fabric, noting its texture and craftsmanship. This silk was undoubtedly valuable, but compared to the southern isles' exotic offerings, it might not be enough to impress the guild.

As I moved further into the building, I spotted a smaller section tucked away in the back. The fabrics here were different—less polished, rougher to the touch. These weren't luxury silks; they were practical textiles meant for durability rather than beauty.

'Interesting,' I thought, examining a bolt of deep gray fabric. 'This could be useful.'

A plan began to form as I pieced together what I'd learned over the past few days. The guild valued diversification, not redundancy. While Xiao Liang was busy flaunting the family's luxury silk, he'd overlooked the potential of these simpler, more durable textiles. They might not command the same price, but they had a market of their own—one the guild could capitalize on.

That evening, I slipped into the servants' quarters, where the atmosphere was far more relaxed than the rest of the estate. The staff sat in small groups, sharing quiet conversations over bowls of rice and simple vegetables. I approached a young maid who had been friendly enough toward me since my arrival.

"Mind if I join you?" I asked, gesturing to the empty spot beside her.

She glanced up, startled, but nodded. "Sure."

As I sat, I lowered my voice. "I've been hearing a lot about the guild's interest in the southern isles. Do you know anything about what they're looking for?"

The maid hesitated, clearly torn between her curiosity and her caution. "Why do you care?"

"Call it curiosity," I said with a faint smile. "The more I understand, the less likely I am to mess up during their visit."

She seemed to accept that and leaned in slightly. "They're looking for fabrics, but not just silk. They want things that are durable—something they can use for sails, tents, that sort of thing."

I nodded, my suspicions confirmed. "Makes sense. Thanks for the insight."

She shrugged, turning back to her meal. "Just don't get caught asking too many questions. Master Liang doesn't like when people stick their noses where they don't belong."

Later that night, as I lay on my straw mattress, my plan solidified. The guild's interest in practical textiles was my opening. If I could find a way to present these overlooked goods as a valuable addition to the deal, I could prove my worth to both the Xiao family and the guild.

'It's a gamble,' I thought, staring at the cracked ceiling above me. 'But then again, so is life itself.'

The first step was finding the right moment to make my move. Xiao Liang's focus on luxury silks would leave him blind to the potential of the practical textiles. If I played my cards right, I could position myself as the missing piece in the negotiations.

Tomorrow, the feast would resume, and the guild's delegation would be present. It was the perfect stage for me to make my first real move in this world.

I closed my eyes, a faint smirk on my lips. "Let's get to work."