Chapter 19: Chapter Before anyone else could say a single word, Xi Jianyu’s cold and imposing voice cut sharply through the night.
"Who started this fire?"
The once peaceful courtyard was now shrouded in thick smoke, with servants running back and forth carrying buckets of water while the guards worked together to stop the flames from spreading any further. Inside the ruined kitchen, pieces of burnt wood continued to collapse, sending showers of glowing sparks into the dark sky.
Not a single person answered.
Xi Jianyu’s expression slowly darkened.
"I asked a question."
The already tense atmosphere instantly became even heavier, and one by one, the servants and maids could no longer withstand the pressure as they dropped to their knees.
"This servant deserves death!"
"We deserve punishment!"
"Please forgive us, Duke!"
Several of the younger maids had already started crying from fear.
Lin Meiyun stepped forward, and although her voice was not loud, the rare anger on her usually gentle face made everyone lower their heads even further.
"Stop crying and answer properly."
Her gaze swept across the kneeling servants.
"How did this fire start?"
Old Madam Zhao Rui struck her cane heavily against the ground.
"Speak!"
The servants exchanged frightened glances with one another, but not a single person dared to open their mouth.
Xi Wenzhe stood quietly beside Su Yueqing, his sleeves slightly scorched from entering the fire and soot still staining his hands. His cold eyes slowly swept across the kneeling crowd.
"If no one speaks..."
His voice remained calm and steady.
"...then all of you will be punished together."
Those simple words immediately frightened them.
At last, one of the older kitchen maids slowly raised her head, her lips trembling as she looked toward Xi Jianyu.
"D-Duke..."
She hesitated for a long moment.
Then, very slowly, she turned her gaze toward Su Yueqing.
The others followed her almost instinctively.
One after another.
Every pair of eyes landed on Su Yueqing.
The Xi family silently followed their line of sight.
No explanation was needed.
The servants had already made their accusation.
Meanwhile...
Su Yueqing herself was completely occupied by something else.
She stood quietly, lowering her head as she stared at the edge of her sleeve, where a small section had been burnt black. She gently rubbed the damaged fabric between her fingers.
Inside her mind—
[What a waste.]
[I only changed into this outfit a few hours ago.]
[These ancient clothes probably cost a fortune.]
Xi Qianqian almost covered her face.
At a moment like this...
She was actually worried about her clothes?
Su Yueqing continued carefully examining the burnt fabric.
[Can burnt silk be repaired?]
[Probably not.]
[What a tragic financial loss.]
Xi Yunchen quietly looked away and pinched the bridge of his nose.
The woman had nearly burned to death.
Yet somehow, she was mourning her robe.