Xu Xin
Duo stood before the heavy, iron-bound door of the private vault, the jade key
cool in her hand. The carvings of protective talismans etched into the door
glinted faintly under the flickering lantern light, a silent reminder of the
care taken to safeguard what lay within. Her dark eyes betrayed no emotion as
she inserted the key into the lock, twisting it slowly. A soft pulse of energy
resonated through the air, breaking the wards that had sealed the door for
years.
The
door creaked open, revealing the treasures inside.
A
stillness settled over her as she took in the sight before her. The vault was
filled with items that spoke of wealth, power, and a father's belated attempt
to make amends. It wasn't awe that rooted her in place, but the bittersweet
acknowledgment of what these items represented. Her father had failed her
countless times, but he had spared no expense in preparing a dowry that could
secure her survival—even if it came a bit late.
The
extravagance was staggering. Bolts of silk, in jewel-toned hues of sapphire,
emerald, and crimson, were stacked neatly along one wall. Their surfaces
shimmered with gold and silver thread, embroidered with phoenixes and dragons.
Each bolt could have clothed a noble household, yet here they were, untouched.
Jewelry spilled out from open boxes—jade diadems, gold hairpins, and
mother-of-pearl earrings set with rubies and sapphires.
In the
corner, an ornate chest overflowed with banknotes and gemstones, while
lacquered cabinets held heirloom jade ornaments, ceremonial tea sets, and
incense burners. The faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, clinging to
the treasures as if time itself had paused within this room.
The
farthest shelf caught her attention. A locked display held gilded swords, war
fans with concealed steel blades, and scrolls filled with medicinal recipes and
alchemical knowledge. These were not mere decorations—they were tools meant for
survival.
Her
gaze hardened as memories flickered through her mind. The original Xu Xin Duo
had clung to this key, her only true lifeline. She'd kept it with her always,
refusing to entrust it even to her dowry maid, Ying'er, despite the girl's
unwavering loyalty. The palace had never provided her with an allowance. Even
the basics were denied her, forcing her to rely on her dowry to survive. It
wasn't mistrust born of malice but of necessity; she'd had no choice but to
guard every resource as though her life depended on it—because it had.
Stepping
forward, Xu Xin Duo began her work. Her fingers brushed lightly against a bolt
of silk, and with a thought, the jade pendant at her neck pulsed faintly. A
soft glow surrounded the fabric, the air rippling as the silk dissolved into
particles of light. The shimmering motes drifted into a swirling portal that
had opened just beside her, the boundary between this world and her Spatial
Storage.
'Silk
transfer complete,' Artemis reported, his synthetic voice calm and analytical.
'Potential uses: bartering, disguise, formal attire. Storage capacity utilized:
2.3%.'
Her
movements were fluid as she continued. A chest filled with gold coins and
gemstones lifted effortlessly into the air, glowing faintly before vanishing
into the portal.
'Currency
transfer complete,' Artemis noted. 'Estimated value: sufficient for operational
expenses for six months.'
Each
item disappeared into the storage with precision. Jewelry melted into light,
heirloom jade dissolved seamlessly, and ceremonial weapons were absorbed into
the ethereal plane. The Spatial Storage acted as an extension of her will,
organizing each object into mental compartments she could access at any moment.
Approaching
the locked cabinet, she paused, her fingers grazing the glass. The swords and
war fans glinted faintly in the dim light, their edges razor-sharp despite the
years. With a flick of her wrist, the cabinet unlocked.
'Weapon
transfer initiated,' Artemis intoned. 'Primary weapon utility: 85%. Ceremonial
applications possible. Storage capacity utilized: 8.7%.'
Her
gaze lingered briefly on the gilded sword before it dissolved into the storage.
Every item held significance, a potential use in the battles she anticipated.
'This dowry
was deigned to aid her,' she thought, a faint bitterness creeping into her
mind. 'Not a typical daughter's.'
Artemis
interrupted her reflection. 'Current clearance progress: 76%. Remaining items
are of sentimental or ceremonial value. Suggested action?'
'Take
only what's functional,' she replied coolly.
The
process continued, her movements unhurried but deliberate. When the final
high-priority item vanished into the Spatial Storage, she straightened, taking
a last look at the nearly empty vault.
'Vault
clearance complete,' Artemis confirmed. 'Net value exceeds initial projections
by 64%. Remaining capacity: 12.1%.'
She
dismissed the glowing portal with a wave of her hand, the faint hum of energy
dissipating into the air. Her father's dowry had been extravagant, excessive
even, but she could not deny its value. Whatever guilt had driven him to
prepare this wealth for her, it now belonged to her alone.
With a
final glance at the room, Xu Xin Duo turned and stepped out into the hallway.
She carried no sentiment for the riches she'd just secured, only the cold
satisfaction of knowing she was better prepared for the storm that was about to
break.
The
cold air of the hallway greeted her as she closed the vault door behind her,
the echo of its heavy lock reverberating in the stillness. Xu Xin Duo adjusted
the folds of her robe, her thoughts already shifting to the next steps. The
resources she had secured would provide her the edge she needed to maneuver the
impending crisis. Now, she needed to fortify her position within the estate
before the Emperor's plans unraveled further.
'Vault
secured,' Artemis reported, his synthetic tone cutting through the silence.
'Current assessment of estate defenses: inadequate. Probability of successful
external breach: 47%.'
Xu Xin
Duo's expression remained unreadable as she strode through the dimly lit
corridor. Cobwebs in the abandoned wing clung to the corners, undisturbed for
years. The faint rustle of wind carried through cracks in the stone, a sound
she found oddly comforting.
'What
are the weak points?' she thought, her fingers brushing lightly against the
jade pendant at her neck.
'Western
gate visibility compromised at night. Guard rotations inconsistent.
Vulnerability to infiltration estimated at 63%,' Artemis replied without
hesitation. 'Internal security weak. Potential disloyalty among the staff: 19%,
primarily due to poor training and lack of integration into the estate's
hierarchy.'
Xu Xin
Duo's lips quirked faintly, though it wasn't a smile. 'The staff doesn't know
what's coming,' she thought. 'That ignorance is their only protection for now.'
As she
re-entered the main section of the estate, the subtle shift in atmosphere was
palpable. Here, the halls were warm and well-maintained, the light of oil lamps
illuminating polished wood and silk tapestries. Servants moved quietly in the
distance, their footsteps soft as they carried out their tasks. None of them
spared her more than a fleeting glance, their attention focused on their work.
'The
staff appears disciplined,' Artemis observed. 'However, loyalty remains
untested. Suggest implementing subtle evaluations to identify potential risks.'
'Later,'
Xu Xin Duo thought. 'They'll stay calm as long as they're unaware of the
danger. The moment they sense something is wrong, panic will spread faster than
the Emperor's decree.'
She
entered her chambers and closed the door behind her, her movements deliberate
and precise. Ying'er was already waiting by the hearth, carefully adjusting the
flames. The maid turned at the sound of the door, her expression lighting up
briefly before she remembered her place and bowed deeply.
"Miss,"
Ying'er said softly, "do you require anything else tonight?"
"No,"
Xu Xin Duo replied evenly, her gaze flicking briefly to the faint shadows cast
by the firelight. "Ensure the household staff remains focused on their duties.
I will call for you if I need anything further."
"Yes,
Miss," Ying'er said, her voice tinged with hesitance. She bowed again before
retreating through the side door, leaving Xu Xin Duo alone.
The
silence of her chambers was welcome, a reprieve from the faint hum of activity
beyond its walls. Xu Xin Duo moved to the low table by the window, her sharp
gaze fixed on the faint glow of torchlight along the estate's perimeter. The
jade pendant pulsed faintly against her neck, as though echoing her thoughts.
'Artemis,'
she thought, 'analyze potential allies within the estate. If Prince Yu
hesitates, we'll need contingency plans.'
'Probability
of collaboration with Prince Yu: 63%,' Artemis replied. 'His logical nature
aligns with tactical reasoning, though personal mistrust of you remains a
limiting factor.'
'What
about Ying'er?' Xu Xin Duo asked, her tone contemplative.
'Ying'er
demonstrates consistent loyalty,' Artemis noted. 'Probability of betrayal
negligible. However, her usefulness is restricted by lack of combat training
and limited situational awareness.'
'She'll
serve her purpose,' Xu Xin Duo thought, dismissing the analysis with the ease
of someone accustomed to making difficult decisions.
Her
gaze drifted to the faint outline of the estate walls. The torchlight flickered
erratically, casting long shadows that seemed to reach toward the horizon.
Somewhere beyond those walls, the Emperor's Guards were preparing to move. She
could feel the weight of their approach, like the stillness before a storm.
'Time
until their arrival?' she prompted.
'Current
estimate: 3 to 7 hours,' Artemis replied. 'This calculation assumes no delays
in deployment or communication.'
Xu Xin
Duo nodded to herself, her fingers tapping lightly against the table's edge.
'We'll be ready,' she thought.