Reborn as the Weakest Heiress, I Gave My Inheritance to the Enemy's Daughter novel · Chapter 22 of 24

Chapter 22: What the Steward Owed

"The banners were Salt Tide's," Ning Zhiyuan said.

He said it calmly, to the Seven Peaks, with his hands loose at his sides.

"The Mo family sewed them cheaply and sent them with these hired men to burn us out, and I have been trying for a month to stop it. My young sister has been poisoned against me by the very daughter who seduced her. Look at her. She stands in front of you holding the Seal, with the sect's guard at her command, and says my name like a curse."

Several disciples shifted.

A few of them, at the back, nodded.

Zhaoxue let him finish.

"You are holding the Seal," she said. "Around your neck."

He glanced down, and she saw the exact instant he understood the mistake.

"I took the real one back from you a moment ago, at the formation stone," she said. "In front of the Peaks. It answered my hand."

She held up the green jade disc, still glowing faintly.

Then she pointed at his collar.

"Pull out what you're wearing, Senior Brother."

His fingers closed over the cord.

The Master of the Third Peak stepped forward with her cane and lifted it herself.

A small piece of green soapstone swung from the end of the cord, no bigger than a thumb, the needles carved with great care.

"I made that when I was fourteen," Zhaoxue said. "You were going to press it on a deed tonight. Beside the one your buyers drew up."

A murmur rolled across the courtyard, loud as a wave.

"There is no deed," Ning said. "There is no..."

"Then you won't mind," said the Master of the Third Peak, "if I open your sleeve."

She did not wait for an answer.

Her long pale hand went into the grey silk and came out with a folded cream paper, its green wax already broken.

She read it standing in the firelight, silently, the pipe-smoke curling off her shoulder.

When she finished, she turned the paper over and showed the broken seal to the Peaks.

A bird with a long curved neck.

"The Pavilion of the Jade Crane," she said.

A murmur went round the Peaks.

An old Peak Master across the fire rose without a word, and sat down again.

She let the paper fall.

"I have known a lot of liars," she said. "I have never met one who kept his instructions."

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